Tech-savvy TTD mulls introducing AI to enhance pilgrim services at Sri Venkateswara Temple

Tirumala: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams is considering introducing an Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbot to enhance transparency and efficiency in pilgrim services at the Sri Venkateswara Temple.

TTD Executive Officer J Syamala Rao said that the temple administration is exploring "futuristic technologies" to expedite accommodation, darshan, and other services while improving transparency and efficiency. TTD aims to make Hill Town a role model pilgrimage center, and it is marching ahead in that direction, with its Vision 2047 Mission.

"To accelerate accommodation, darshan, and other services for the multitude of visiting pilgrims and to enhance transparency and efficiency, TTD is considering automation instead of manual operations. We are also exploring the introduction of an AI chatbot for pilgrim services," Rao told reporters at Annamaiah Bhavan in Tirumala.

Enrich pilgrim experience

According to the EO, TTD’s ultimate goal is to "enrich the pilgrim experience while leveraging technology", all the while safeguarding "the spiritual and cultural sanctity" of Tirumala for future generations. Rao further noted that the temple administration is aligning with Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s vision of blending "traditional aesthetics with modern functionality" in Tirumala’s development.

He added that TTD aims to position the world’s richest Hindu temple as a model pilgrimage center under its "Vision 2047", in alignment with the state government’s Swarna Andhra-2047 initiative. The vision emphasizes planned development, environmental management, and heritage conservation in Tirumala, Rao said.

EO noted that in 2019 Tirumala Zonal Planning was done as part of TUDA Master Plan. But this was a proposal based on the year 2017 statistics which does not suit the present requirements. So aiming at Vision 2047, they are revising the zonal development plan keeping in view the current and future needs, he said.

The EO also said TTD has invited reputed agencies to contribute to this transformative plan which includes concept plans for around 18 projects viz. footpaths, smart parking, formation of new link roads, subways, redevelopment of different areas like Rambagicha bus stand, Balaji bus stand, base camp development at Alipiri and many more.

Protecting Sanctity

On initiatives taken in the past six months, the EO said enhancing the taste of Laddu Prasadam, Ghee testing and improvement of quality of raw materials in outside labs, providing non-stop Annaprasadam to devotees in compartments and queue lines, opening up Kiosks for donations, queue line management, putting curbs on encroachments, rates of delicacies in various big and small eateries, improving sanitation are some of the measures. "So far we have done 10% and still more to go'', he maintained.

The TTD Trust board has also decided to transfer 31 non-Hindu employees working in TTD to government departments or to consider VRS for them. "We have also asked for legal opinion in this regard," EO said.

Among others, the EO said that as of now there is only an ad-hoc plan for various constructions in Tirumala. We are contemplating Urban Design guidelines such that the constructions should give an aesthetic feel projecting equality and sanctity of Tirumala. So we have even decided to keep only divine names to Donor Rest Houses in Tirumala'', he said.

Automation and Technology

To speed up the accommodation, darshan, and other services to the multitude of visiting pilgrims enhancing transparency and efficiency, TTD is mulling for Automation instead of manual operations.

Other goals of Tirumala Vision-2047

* Special focus on traffic control, necessary parking, infrastructure, and development of Mada streets in Tirumala.

* Actions for development in the Akashaganga and Papavinasanam areas.

* Efforts to involve the youth in the promotion and preservation of Hindu Sanatana Dharma.

Actions are taken to increase spirituality among the youth with the help of Government Dharmika Advisor Brahmasri Chaganti Koteswara Rao.

* Conducting audit on the HDPP programs undertaken so far for better program management.

* Take steps to control prices in private canteens in Tirumala and provide quality food by handing over management responsibilities to reputed organizations.

Strict action against shopkeepers, hawker licensees, and unauthorized stalls who are encroaching on the roads and causing trouble to the devotees in Tirumala.

* Special measures for waste management in Tirumala, construction of drains to separate rainwater and sewage.

* Strict action against those who are cheating the devotees. TTD Vigilance Wing has been doing an incredible job in catching hold of such middlemen for the last six months.

* Actions for planned development of 61 temples under TTD present across the country including Sri Padmavati Ammavari temple at Tiruchanoor.

Concluding the press conference, the EO reiterated that the ultimate goal of TTD is to enhance the pilgrim experience, properly utilizing technology while preserving the spiritual and cultural sanctity of Tirumala for future generations.