TTD Takes Care of Human Hair Processing Operation

Tirumala, 18 Jun. 19: To facilitate devotees to redeem their vows to Lord Venkateswara by tonsuring their heads in a gesture of Saranagati, TTD has set up Kalyanakattas in Tirumala and offering free tonsuring to a multitude of visiting pilgrims every day in Tirumala.

In fact, the average percentage of pilgrims who tonsure their hair ranges between 35% and 50% depending on the season.

TTD also set up an exclusive infrastructure for processing and e-auction of tonsured hair and earns annual revenue of ₹100-120 crores.

PROCESS OF SEGREGATION 

As per tradition the tonsured hair is first put in TTD hundi and later segregated in sizes and cuts before they are transported every day in lorries to TTD warehouses on the Hare Rama temple Road at Tirupati.

A daily collection of 700-900 kgs are kept in 30 kgs sealed bags first in Godown-1. The hair is later taken to processing in Godown-2 and waste is removed after initial inspection before shifting to drying halls above.

After drying they are segregated into five categories on sizes of 27 inches, 19-26 inches, 10-18 inches, 5-9 inches, and less than five inches respectively. The first two categories of hair are kept in 20 kg bags, while 3,4,5 categories of hair are stored in 30 kg bags.

The Government of India concern firm, the Vishakhapatnam based M/s MSTC conducts e-auction of processed hair once in a month on first Thursday under the supervision of TTD JEO of Tirumala Sri KS Sreenivasa Raju.

CC CAMERA VIGILANCE IN GODOWNS 

The Godown complex which is on CC camera watch on a 24 x7 basis comprised of loading and unloading in halls, GM (auction) and Deputy GM (auction) halls on the ground floor. There are 3 storage rooms on the first floor and three halls for drying and processing in the second floor. The TTD appointed 70 member staff for maintenance and provided them free masks, gloves, and aprons besides regular Medical check-ups at the TTD central hospital.

The TTD Health department cleans the godowns every day and big exhaust fans and air purifiers are also installed to avoid foul smell emit from the storage of hairs. The TTD canteen also provided lunch, snacks and beverages etc. to workers. The entire activity of storage, segregation, processing and auctioning is being looked after by TTD General Manager (Auctions) Sri D Nageswar Rao and Deputy GM Sri MAV Satyam.