Hyderabad, Oct 13: A fortnight after surviving an assassination attempt, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu will drive past the same embankment on Ghat road at Tirumala foothills, the scene of powerful landmine blasts targetting his car, when he makes a thanksgiving' visit to the temple. Accompanied by his family members, Naidu will leave for Tirupati on October 16 by a special flight. He will reach Tirumala, the abode of Lord Venkateshwara, by road and after an overnight stay he would participate in 'abhishekam', a pre-dawn ritual, at the temple, official sources said.

With the audacious naxalite attack at Alipiri Toll Gate on the Ghat Road still fresh in public memory, the Chief Minister's proposed visit has put the police on tenterhooks. A massive combing operation was on at Tirumala Hills with teams of bomb disposal squads and armed reserve policemen engaged in 'sterilising every inch of the area' and the round-the-clock patrolling being put in place, sources said.

Metal detectors had been installed at Tirumala foothills while the police were thoroughly searching the vehicles of pilgrims. Top police officials are camping in Tirupati to supervise security arrangements.

Bureau Report