TTD to close hotels at Tirumala, serve free food

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Board of Trustees, has decided soon to close all private hotels and fast food stalls at Tirumala and serve food to devotees at free of cost. Free Annaprasadam (food) distribution centres will be opened at multiple places.

It has also decided to increase issuance of Sarva Darshan and Seegra Darshan tickets and allow devotees to take part in Arjitha Sevas in a phased manner in view of relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions by the Centre and the State government. The TTD had stopped all Arjitha Sevas since March, 2020 due to the Covid pandemic.

The TTD, which approved its budget for the financial year 2022-23 with an outlay of Rs 3,096.40 crore, clarified that there is no move to increase the prices of Arjitha Sevas.

The TTD has proposed  Rs 3,096.40 crore budget for 2022-23, which is Rs 95.64 crore more than the revised budget estimates of Rs 3,000.76 crore for 2021-22 

TTD Chairman YV Subba Reddy said the Trust Board approved the proposal to construct Sri Padmavati Children’s Hospital at a cost of  Rs 230 crore, as suggested by Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. A target has been set to complete the project in two years. 

It was decided to lease out Sri Padmavati Nilayam at Tiruchanoor to the Andhra Pradesh government to house the Balaji District Collectorate. The TTD will resume 50 out of 70 acres allotted for the Science City and build a Spiritual Centre. The TTD will sign an MoU with NEDCAP to get solar power steam for 25 years to Sri Matrusri Tarigonda Vengamamba Annaprasada Bhavan for preparation of Anna Prasadam, he explained.

Subba Reddy said it was resolved to revive the old Annamayya Margam to Tirumala and approach the Forest Department to take up development works on the ancient route. A TTD delegation will meet Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray within a month to seek allotment of land for Venkateswara temple in Mumbai, he added.