Tirupati to be developed as world class spiritual centre:
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu virtually inaugurates and lays the foundation for Rs 3,222 crore in development works at Tirupati.
An integrated pilgrim township is to be developed at a cost of Rs 2,750 crore at Alipiri to accommodate 15000 pilgrims per day.
Amaravati: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu virtually inaugurated and laid the foundation for development works worth Rs 3,222 crore under the Tirupati Urban Development Authority (TUDA) and Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) from the Secretariat today to transform Tirupati into a world-class spiritual destination.
The Chief Minister laid the foundation for an integrated pilgrim township at an estimated cost of Rs 2,750 crore to provide comprehensive facilities to devotees visiting Tirumala. The township is being developed near the SV Zoological Park road at Alipiri in Tirupati to ensure a safe, comfortable and spiritually enriching experience for pilgrims arriving from across India and abroad. The project will bring accommodation, Annadanam (free meals), rest facilities, transportation, parking, medical services and digital information centres under one roof. Accommodation facilities worth ₹1,332 crore will be developed across four blocks, each comprising ten floors, with a total of 2,700 rooms. These facilities will be able to accommodate approximately 15,000 devotees per day. The project aims to ease the pressure on accommodation facilities atop Tirumala while providing improved amenities to pilgrims in Tirupati itself.
Emphasising that Annadanam is one of the most sacred forms of service, the Chief Minister said that providing food to hungry devotees and accommodation to tired pilgrims was equivalent to serving the Almighty. An Annaprasadam centre will be constructed at a cost of ₹160 crore, with facilities to serve 6,000 devotees at a time. To address parking difficulties, a multi-level parking complex with a capacity of 4,500 vehicles will be developed at a cost of ₹311 crore. An integrated transport terminal featuring 30 bus bays will also be established at a cost of ₹90 crore.
Keeping in view Tirupati's growing population, increasing vehicular traffic and future infrastructure requirements, nine master plan roads will be developed at an estimated cost of ₹242 crore. The project covers approximately 20 km of roads, with TUDA developing 16.50 km at a cost of ₹127 crore and TTD developing 3.60 km at a cost of ₹115 crore. The roads will strengthen connectivity between National Highways 140 and 71 and improve transportation facilities for devotees visiting the Padmavathi Ammavari Temple at Tiruchanur.
The Chief Minister said the government was giving priority to the welfare of TTD employees and their families, who remain dedicated to serving Lord Venkateswara and the devotees. With the objective of enabling employees to live with dignity in their own homes, residential layouts are being developed across 418 acres. Infrastructure facilities for the residential plots of 5,192 employees under the first and second phases will be provided at a cost of ₹230 crore. Of this amount, TTD will contribute ₹150 crore and employees ₹80 crore. The infrastructure will include internal roads, drainage systems, overhead water tanks, water supply pipelines, a sewage treatment plant and an electricity distribution network. The Chief Minister directed officials to develop the township as an environmentally friendly, net-zero development. He also appreciated TTD employees for their commitment to service during festivals and other special occasions.
The Chief Minister directed officials to establish a Pilgrim Experience Centre to familiarise devotees with the history of Tirumala, the glory of Lord Venkateswara and its spiritual traditions. He also called for the development of digital information centres, emergency medical assistance facilities and modern security systems. Officials were instructed to ensure that devotees received comprehensive information and returned from Tirupati with a satisfying spiritual experience. The Chief Minister launched the Venkatadri app, designed to provide information and assistance to pilgrims. He emphasised that the sacred atmosphere associated with Tirumala should also be reflected in Tirupati. The city should not be developed merely as a pilgrimage destination but as an integrated urban centre combining spirituality, environmental conservation, modern technology, education, employment and tourism. He directed officials to interlink and beautify all lakes in Tirupati and make effective use of the area extending up to Kalyani Dam. The medicinal plants zone should be developed into an experience centre offering visitors a blend of spirituality and nature. He also called for greater emphasis on environmental protection through the Vruksho Govinda initiative, improved management of goshalas, promotion of cow service and special measures for wildlife conservation.
The Chief Minister called for expanding service initiatives such as Annadanam (food donation), Pranadanam (saving lives) and Vidyadanam (education). He suggested exploring the introduction of service systems similar to the Srivari Seva programme at other temples. He stressed the need to organise spiritual programmes that guide people towards a positive way of life, with particular focus on helping people. He called for integrating spirituality with technology and taking initiatives to showcase the glory of Lord Venkateswara to a wider global audience. The Chief Minister made it clear that there would be no compromise on the sanctity of the region. With improved connectivity and infrastructure, Tirupati has the potential to emerge as a prominent destination for weddings, he said. Establishing an international-standard convention hall would boost economic activity in the city. He also directed officials to strengthen sports infrastructure and take steps towards the construction of an ACA cricket stadium. Departments should work in coordination to equip local youth with skills suited to future requirements and expand employment opportunities.
The Chief Minister observed that devotees and pilgrims visiting from across India and abroad form their impression of the state through Tirupati. Therefore, everyone shares the responsibility of developing the city into a premier spiritual destination. He said that coordinated efforts by the Endowments, Tourism and Municipal Administration departments would help achieve the desired results.