TTD Vs AAI: Tirupati trust shuts down Srivani VIP tickets counter at Tirupati airport

TIRUPATI: Following a sort of a tussle between the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams and the airports authority of India (AAI), the Tirupati trust shut down the Srivani trust linked VIP tickets counter at the Tirupati airport on Saturday.

The TTD made alternate arrangements to issue the 100 tickets dedicated quota meant for air flyers at the Gokulam guesthouse at Tirumala as the airport counters were indefinitely closed down.

While the Tirupati trust issued a statement that the counters at the airport was closed due to "no permission", Tirupati airport director Basavaraju clarified that the rental contract with the AAI to operate the counter was not renewed despite several reminders sent to the TTD, leading to the closure of the Srivani VIP tickets counter at the airport from Saturday.


"We sent them several emails and remainders to renew the contract so that the counters can function unhindered. But despite several reminders, the TTD submitted their requisition for renewal only two days ago. The TTD's contract extension file has now been forwarded to the regional office and we are awaiting for the approvals", Tirupati airport director clarified.


However, TTD IT manager LM Sandeep countered the AAI's argument and clarified that the contract renewal process was initiated much before the first contract period ended and the temple trust was left with no other option but to close down the Srivani ticket counters at the airport as there was a delay on the part of the AAI in awarding the renewal on time.


LM Sandeep clarified that even when the AAI intimated them at the last minute, the TTD swiftly made alternate arrangements by establishing the Srivani VIP tickets counter at the Gokulam guesthouse at Tirumala exclusively for the air flyers.


"Instead of purchasing the darshan tickets at the Tirupati airport after producing the boarding pass, the air flyers can now purchase the Srivani tickets at Tirumala itself in a hassle free manner", the IT GM added.


Meanwhile, Tirupati MP Dr M Gurumurthy, who learnt about the closure of the Srivani tickets counter at the Tirupati airport on Saturday, told TOI that he would take up the issue to the notice of the higher-ups at the AAI and get the imbroglio end at the earliest.