TTD house-site plan for employees gets CM’s approval

Tirumala, Sept 15 (TNT): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has given a positive response to the proposal for providing house sites to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) employees, TTD Chairman B R Naidu said on Tuesday.

Addressing the media after a meeting with TTD Board members and employees’ union leaders here, the Chairman said a special sub-committee had examined the proposal, estimated to cost Rs 230 crore, and its report was unanimously approved by the TTD Board.

The proposal was discussed with the Chief Minister recently when he was invited to the annual Brahmotsavams. Naidu directed officials to initiate immediate action and assured cooperation for implementation of the project, he said.

The house-site programme will be taken up after the Brahmotsavam festivities as officials and staff are currently engaged in arrangements, the Chairman said.

He said the proposed integrated township for TTD employees was also a priority project. With necessary proposals and approvals already in place, the Chief Minister had directed officials to take up the project in two phases and implement them at the earliest.

The Chief Minister also directed that whenever a guesthouse is demolished, a new one of the same design should be constructed at the same location under TTD supervision.

TTD should undertake construction and management of accommodation facilities directly instead of handing over works to private agencies, he said, adding that additional rooms should not be constructed without assessing the requirement.

The TTD Chairman urged employees to prioritise pilgrims’ welfare, ensure comfortable darshan and provide essential facilities while maintaining the reputation of the temple administration.

TTD Board members Panabaka Lakshmi and Jyothula Nehru and employees’ union leaders attended the meeting.

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