The chief minister emphasised responsible spending of TTD funds, warning against misuse under development. He advocated strict financial discipline, internal and CAG audits, stating, "No one has the right to misuse offerings."
Published Apr 02, 2025 | 11:53 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 02, 2025 | 11:53 PM
Andhra Pradesh CM's review on TTD: WhatsApp services to be introduced soon(TTD website)
Synopsis: In a bid to enhance efficiency at Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), N Chandrababu Naidu announced key appointments, including JEO and CVSO. He also reviewed infrastructure projects and proposed Aadhaar-linked services, a feedback platform, and increased green cover. Naidu emphasised administrative cleansing, improved sanitation, and respect for devotees’ sentiments while preserving the temple’s sanctity. A complete overhaul of facilities and services at the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams is in the offing.
To enhance efficiency and service delivery at the TTD, Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday, 2 April, announced that new appointments will be made for key positions, including JEO, CVSO, SVBC Chairman, and BIRRD Director.
At a review meeting at the secretariat at Velagapudi in Amaravti, he emphasised the need for 100 percent administrative cleansing within TTD, ensuring that unnecessary senior appointments are discontinued.
A WhatsApp-based service for devotees will be launched soon, allowing direct feedback, while Aadhaar-linked services will be introduced to prevent irregularities.
The chief minister stressed the need for the TDD officials to ensure that all the measures that will be taken must respect devotees’ sentiments and preserve temple’s sanctity.
Several major infrastructure projects were reviewed, including the construction of a Base Camp at Alipiri to accommodate 25,000 pilgrims, a Master Plan for the development of 60 associated temples, and the expansion of Sri Padmavati Ammavari Temple and Sri Venkateswara Temple in Amaravati. Plans for improving cleanliness and sanitation in Tirumala were also discussed, with the chief minister instructing officials to increase green cover from the current 68 percent to 80 percent.
The chief minister reviewed measures taken for darshan, accommodation, and various services while analysing feedback collected from devotees. Special arrangements during Brahmotsavam, Ratha Saptami, and Vaikunta Ekadashi were also discussed.
During the review, officials presented a report on the improvements made in the past nine months and plans for managing the increasing pilgrim footfall.
The chief minister gave a clutch of instructions at the meeting which was attended by Minister for Endowments Anam Ram Narayana Reddy, TTD Chairman BR Naidu, EO Shyamala Rao, Additional EO Venkayya Chowdhary, Chief Vigilance Officer Tirupati District SP Harshavardhan Raju among others.
The chief minister stressed that TTD funds must be spent responsibly and only on essential projects. He warned against arbitrary spending under the guise of development and insisted on strict financial discipline and accountability. He made it clear that “We are merely trustees of the temple, and no one has the right to misuse even a single rupee of Lord Venkateswara’s offerings.” He also recommended internal and CAG audits to ensure transparency.
Survey results from major festivals like Ratha Saptami and Vaikunta Ekadashi revealed overwhelming satisfaction among devotees, with 76 percent rating services as excellent and another 22 percent considering them good. Even general pilgrims surveyed via IVRS expressed 61 perceny satisfaction with TTD services.
TTD’s temple network expansion was also reviewed, with plans to develop the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Amaravati with gopurams and prakaram. Progress was noted on new TTD temples in Karimnagar, Kodangal, Navi Mumbai, Bandra, Ulundurpet, and Coimbatore.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
