Tirupati, Oct. 12: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) on Tuesday successfully experimented with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to strengthen security cover over the Tirumala hills, the abode of Lord Venkateswara. Intelligence reports have warned that the area could be on the radar of militant outfits.
The TTD chief vigilance and security officer, Mr M.K. Singh, said the 2-kg battery-operated surveillance UAV — designed and developed by a Bengaluru firm — was only an experiment.
The aerial surveillance was conducted for 45 minutes and the vehicle returned successfully. “We will be using it regularly based on the prevailing requirements,” he said.
The UAV can capture visuals within a radius of 9 km and can assist the TTD in regulating traffic and the rush of devotees.
This new mode of aerial surveillance is an improvement on the helium balloon surveillance undertaken during the Salakatla Brahmotsavams in September.
The TTD deployed nearly 3,000 security personnel during the Garudotsavam, the most important day of the annual brahmotsavams, which was also the day chosen for the UAV experiment.
Meanwhile, over 3 lakh devotees thronged Tirumala, abode of Lord Venkateswara, on Tuesday night and had the celestial glimpse of the majestic Garudotsavam event, with chanting of Govinda Namam renting the air and cultural activities dominating the procession that lasted for about five hours.
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