From Our Correspondent
Amaravati: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday laid the foundation for major development works at the TTD Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Venkatapalem, announcing a two-phase upgrade worth ₹260 crore to be completed in two-and-a-half years. The project will mirror Tirumala’s model, with the first phase covering the Maha Prakaram, Maha Rajagopuram, Arjita Seva Mandapam, Ratha Mandapam, Anjaneyaswamy temple and Pushkarini.
The second phase will include Mada streets, approach roads, an Annadana complex, rest houses, residential quarters for archakas, administrative blocks, a Dhyana Mandir and parking facilities. Naidu said Amaravati’s very name reflects the sankalpam of Sri Venkateswara Swamy and urged devotees to participate in temple development efforts.
Earlier, he offered prayers, inspected a photo exhibition of the proposed works and sought detailed explanations from officials and archakas.
Reviewing Endowments and TTD affairs later, he stressed that devotees’ sentiments must guide all decisions and that Tirumala’s best practices should be adopted across temples in the state. Endowments Minister Anam Ramnarayana Reddy, TTD Chairman B.R. Naidu, EO Anil Kumar Singhal and board members were present.