Tirumala-Tirupati to become global spiritual, service hub: AP CM Naidu
Tirumala, Sept 16 (TNT): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday said Tirumala and Tirupati would be developed into a global spiritual and service destination, with seamless darshan for pilgrims remaining the top priority.
Addressing the media here, Naidu said the twin pilgrim cities would be developed as role models for other temples in terms of pilgrim care, cleanliness and management by integrating devotion, service and technology.
He said a skywalk connecting Tirupati Railway Station and the bus stand was proposed and would be taken up soon with Central support.
Plans were also being made to connect Tirupati with major highways and develop multi-storey parking facilities on 50 acres, he said.
The Chief Minister said Rs 230 crore had been allocated for improving basic amenities in employee housing colonies.
He said Tirupati would be developed as a premium wedding destination, while the Brahmotsavams would be conducted with greater grandeur in both Tirumala and Tirupati.
The twin cities would also be developed as a service hub centred on Srivari darshan and related economic activity, he said.
Naidu said development activities would follow a net-zero approach, with solar panels proposed on TTD buildings and plans for solar, wind and battery storage projects.
He said Tirumala currently generates around one crore units of power against consumption of about 10 crore units, indicating scope for expanding renewable energy generation.
He said a zero-waste model would be adopted to make Tirumala an environmental benchmark, with the objective of maintaining it as India’s cleanest and best-managed temple and elevating the 2,300-year-old shrine to a global standard.
The Chief Minister said the SV Annadanam Trust had a corpus of around Rs 3,165 crore and steps were being taken to improve the quality and reach of Annaprasadam.
Medical services under the Pranadanam Trust would be strengthened by linking SVIMS, BIRRD, Ruia and Children’s hospitals, besides exploring tie-ups with non-profit specialty and cancer hospitals in Tirupati, he said.
He also announced plans for new cultural programmes and a dedicated cultural wing under Srivari Seva. Skill development would be given greater emphasis in TTD institutions, particularly polytechnic colleges, to improve employment opportunities.
Naidu said the ‘Vriksha Govindam’ tree-plantation programme would be taken forward to further expand Tirumala’s green cover.
TNT LE
