Tirupati Temple Revolutionizes Pilgrim Experience: AI Technology to Reduce Wait Times to Just 2 Hours

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) Board, under Chairman B R Naidu's leadership, is implementing an innovative digital transformation to dramatically reduce pilgrim waiting times to just two hours using Artificial Intelligence technology.

In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Chairman Naidu acknowledged past hesitation regarding AI adoption but emphasized their current commitment to leveraging advanced technology. "We aim to eliminate previous inconveniences and enhance operational transparency through these technological implementations," Naidu stated.

The AI-powered darshan system is designed to create a seamless pilgrimage experience by optimizing crowd management and significantly reducing wait times for devotees. Already, the TTD has achieved notable improvements by reducing VIP Break Darshan durations, saving regular pilgrims approximately 2-2.5 hours of waiting time.

Additional plans include technological upgrades at the Alipiri toll gate entry point, incorporating advanced scanners to accelerate the entry process for pilgrims. The Board is also considering constructing a new complex at the foothills with capacity for 25,000 devotees, complete with food court facilities to better manage pilgrim flow.

To combat the growing problem of online fraud, the TTD is exploring the establishment of a dedicated Cyber Security Lab. Chairman Naidu warned devotees about fraudulent websites, revealing that one individual had created over 320 fake sites promising darshan services. He urged pilgrims to exclusively use the official TTD website for all temple-related services.

The Chairman outlined several policy decisions aimed at preserving the temple's sacred environment, including measures to remove non-Hindu employees in accordance with legal provisions, which he described as necessary for maintaining religious purity.

The TTD has successfully reclaimed 25 acres of sacred land surrounding the seven hills, including areas previously designated for the Alipiri Zoo Park and a proposed Mumtaz Hotel (an Oberoi Group property) by the previous administration.

The Board is pursuing amendments to religious laws to restrict commercial activities and prioritize spiritual programs within the temple complex. Additionally, plans are underway to remove approximately 1,500 illegal shops authorized by the previous administration to restore the town's sanctity and aesthetic appeal.

Significant improvements have been made to the Annaprasadam (free food) program, with daily distribution capacity now exceeding 100,000 devotees and menu enhancements including the addition of vada. A newly established Food Safety Department now oversees quality control and hygiene standards.

The TTD has achieved record-breaking laddu production capacity, now reaching 400,000 to 450,000 laddus daily. The Board has also successfully obtained a GST exemption for laddu makers.

In personnel matters, the TTD has moved to regularize 650 contract lecturers, drivers, and staff members who have served the institution for over 15 years.

As part of an extensive social outreach initiative, funds from the Srivani Trust will support the construction of 5,000 new TTD temples in Dalit, Harijan, and fishermen communities across Andhra Pradesh.

"Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu envisions establishing TTD temples in every Indian state capital, including a pioneering 10-acre temple complex in Assam, backed by a dedicated Rs. 2,000 crore corpus for international temple expansion," the TTD chairperson added.