TTD Board approves revised donor policy, major pilgrim projects
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Board on Tuesday approved a revised donor privilege policy, major pilgrim infrastructure projects, new amenities for devotees and the appointment
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Board on Tuesday approved a revised donor privilege policy, major pilgrim infrastructure projects, new amenities for devotees and the appointment of 791 honorary Vedic scholars under the Veda Parayanam Scheme. Addressing the media after the Board meeting, TTD Chairman B. R. Naidu and Executive Officer Muddada Ravichandra said the revised donor privileges for various TTD trusts and schemes would come into effect from midnight on Tuesday. The changes are aimed at ensuring greater transparency and uniformity in the management of donations, while existing donors will continue to enjoy the benefits already extended to them. The Board sanctioned ₹6.31 crore for permanent shelters, queue lines and sanitation facilities near Alwar Tank for devotees holding SSD tokens and approved ₹2.77 crore for constructing a two-lane bridge to improve access to the Kumaradhara and Pasupudhara dams.
As part of its green energy initiative, it also cleared the installation of an 800-kW wind turbine generator near GNC through a donation from Vish Wind Infrastructure to provide uninterrupted power supply to TTD for the next 25 years. The Board fixed the entry fee for the S. V. Museum at ₹50, inclusive of GST, for visitors above the age of 12 years and decided to approach Tata to manage the museum. It also sanctioned ₹5 crore for scientific bio-remediation and bio-mining of legacy solid waste near Kakula Manutippa and ₹2.35 crore for the continuous maintenance of fire safety systems in TTD temples and guest houses.
It approved the replacement of 12 old buildings near the TBC and ATC guest houses with donor-funded structures. The Board cleared tenders worth ₹17.84 crore for constructing a 100-room pilgrims’ rest house at the Sri Kodandarama Swamy Temple in Ontimitta and approved the use of one kilogram of gold from the TTD treasury for preparing gold kavachams for the presiding deities of the temple. It also sanctioned ₹2.11 crore for land acquisition to widen the northeastern Mada Street and improve pilgrim amenities, besides approving ₹2.50 crore for development works at the Sri Tataiahgunta Gangamma Temple in Tirupati. Reaffirming TTD’s commitment to preserving Vedic traditions, Mr. Naidu said the Board had approved the appointment of 791 honorary Vedic scholars to ensure uninterrupted recitation of the four Vedas in TTD temples and other prominent temples across Andhra Pradesh.
The BriefWire