The telescopic method adopted to regularise the encroached lands of Simhachalam Devasthanam will benefit all sections, Minster for HRD Ganta Srinivasa Rao said during a visit to the Simhachalam temple along with Collector N. Yuvaraj on Tuesday.
The State Cabinet during its meeting a few days ago took a decision to regularise the occupied land of Simhachalam, settling an issue that was pending for a long, by categorising the land into three categories: under 60 sq. yards, 61-300 sq. yards and above 300 sq. yards in area regularising the less than 60 sq. yard plots free of cost and fixing a price for the rest. Regarding vacant places under occupation, he said a final decision would be taken after gathering details of those who paid some money to the Devasthanam in the past.
The Government’s decision would benefit 12,145 families with a population of 50,000 in five Assembly segments of the city and to thank Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on their behalf a felicitation function on a large scale would be organised in the city soon, Mr. Srinivasa Rao said.
The Minister said the Simhachalam Devasthanam cannot lose anymore of its land and was told to make plans to construct compound wall around its lands.
A master plan would be prepared to develop the famous temple atop Simhachalam and its surroundings with taking all measures not to reduce the sanctity and significance, he said.
“The plan is to make the temple and surroundings pleasant to make the devotees stay here for two or three days,” he said while talking to reporters along with Mr. Yuvaraj and Executive Officer of the temple Ramachandra Mohan.
Solar lamps and lighting on the hill, improving the steps path from the foot hill, construction of a Rs. 16-crore convention centre, establishment of an international standard school on a 15-acre site with the Devasthanam as a partner are some of the facilities coming up.
There were plans to revive the old path of steps from Madhavadhara area and the hill-top road, laying an alternative ghat road and to provide a ropeway.
