TTD to invest Rs 300 Crore for revamping pilgrim amenities, VIP darshan for Govinda Koti

TIRUMALA: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has made a significant decision to invest Rs 300 crore each in constructing Achyutham and Sripatham Pilgrim Amenities Complexes (PACs), replacing the existing 2 and 3 Choultries behind the Tirupati Railway Station. These aging buildings, with a history spanning over seven decades, would be replaced by these two new PACs, providing accommodation for nearly 20,000 pilgrims. The decision was taken during the TTD's board meeting at Annamayya Bhavan in Tirumala.

Referring to the remarks made by Tamil Nadu Minister Udayanidhi Stalin on ‘Sanatana Dharma’, Karunakar Reddy said, “Sanatana Dharma is not a religion but a lifestyle and is not related to any one particular caste or sect. These remarks will hurt the sentiments of people and disturb the peace in society.” He also cautioned that comments from people holding such high positions on Sanatana Dharma were unwarranted and inappropriate.

Other key highlights from the TTD board meeting

• The TTD would offer VIP break darshan to youths up to the age of 25 and their families if they write 'Govinda Koti' similar to Ramakoti initiative.
• Distribution of one crore copies of Bhagavad Gita books to one crore students from LKG to PG.
• Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy would present silk robes to Sri Venkateswara Swami during the annual Brahmotsavam on September 18, 2023, along with unveiling the TTD Calendars and Diaries for 2024.
• Various allocations and grants were approved, including for the repairs of TTD employee quarters, filling vacancies in religious staff, construction of a Srivari temple at Bandra, and more.
• The board also approved financial assistance for water supply projects and road development works in Tirupati.
• The board approved an increase in the ex-gratia amount from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh for the family of six-year-old Lakshita, who was tragically killed in a leopard attack.
• TTD planned to build another Srivari Temple at Bandra at a cost of Rs 1.65 crore and an information centre at Rs 5.35 crore. The entire amount would be donated by the Trust Board membes.
• An estimated cost of Rs 2 crore was allocated for the construction of the Moolasthana Yellamma temple in Chandragiri.
• Rs 49.5 crore was granted for the repairs of TTD employee quarters.
• Government approval was sought to fill up 413 vacancies of religious staff, including archakas, paricharikas, prasadam distributors, and potu workers in TTD.
• Approval was given to fill up as many as 300 posts in the super specialty pediatric hospital, including 29 specialist doctors, 8 duty doctors, 15 administrative staff, 7 paramedical staff, and 241 staff from SLSMPC.
• Rs 2.46 crore was sanctioned for the purchase of medicines and equipment in TTD hospitals.
• The board granted 47 teacher posts at TTD-run Veda Patasalas.
• An allocation of Rs 33 crore was made for the construction of roads and infrastructure near the housing sites allotted to TTD employees at Padiredu Aranyam village. This amount would later be repaid by the employees.
• An amount of Rs 4.15 crore was allocated for development works of TTD employee quarters at Kesavayanagunta, Bairagipatteda, Vaikuntapuram, and LS Nagar.
• To ensure cleanliness during the twin Brahmotsavams, Rs 32.73 lakh has been sanctioned to deploy additional sanitary workers.