The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Two new drinking water schemes for Tirumala

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jul 24, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Two new drinking water schemes for Tirumala

By Our Staff Reporter

TIRUMALA, JULY 23. To ease the perennial drinking water scarcity here, the TTD has decided to execute the twin projects of `Kumaradhara' and `Pasupudhara', and in the process approved the tenders today.

Briefing mediapersons on the deliberations of the two-day TTD board of trustees meeting, which concluded this evening, the TTD Chairman, T. Subbirami Reddy, said that the temple town which is constantly reeling under severe drinking water shortage, with the steep increase in the flow of pilgrims every year, shall be relieved of the crisis once the project is completed. Putting the total cost of the project at Rs. 73 crores, Mr Reddy said that the work would be completed within a record time of two years.

Multipurpose complexes

to be built in all cities

The board also resolved to construct the Sri Venkateswara Divya Kshetras -- multipurpose cultural and spiritual complexes with a temple, auditorium and kalyanamandapam in all the metropolises and important cities in the country. The TTD has already identified land at Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore and Delhi and is in constant touch with the State Governments of the respective States.

In a significant move, the board also resolved to put a stop to pulling and pushing of devotees inside the sanctum and sanctorum by the temple staff.

Mr Reddy said that orders were issued to the temple staff with immediate effect. At the same time, he also appealed that the pilgrims, on their part, should cooperate with the temple staff and should not try to consume the time of other pilgrims, waiting behind in queue lines by standing for a long time in front of the deity.

Ancient temples to

be renovated

Mr Reddy said that the board has also resolved to identify one ancient temple in each district of the State and shoulder the responsibility of renovating it. The ancient and dilapidated structures shall be renovated by the TTD at its own cost. However, temples with sufficient income shall not be given any priority.

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Andhra Pradesh