The newly-constituted TTD board of trustees in their maiden meeting on Monday resolved to confine only for the construction of the temple of Lord Venkateswara at the capital city of Amaravati.
Speaking to the media, TTD Board Chairman Y.V. Subba Reddy said permanent structures are yet to come up in Amaravati and there are also no permanent residents there. The board has decided not to take up construction of ‘gali gopurams’, kalyana mandapams, cottages and other allied structures for the time being and instead focus on completion of temple at the earliest. With this, the construction cost which was earlier pegged at ₹140 crore also will come down to ₹36 crore, he said.
The Trust Board unanimously agreed for construction of the proposed Balaji Reservoir as parts of its efforts to tackle drinking water shortage in Tirumala on a permanent basis. Estimates will be prepared and placed before the board for its approval during its next sitting. The board felt that the responsibility of developing Avilala tank solely rests on the Tirupati Municipal Corporation.
As the TTD has already spent ₹28 crore, the board resolved to fund only those works like development of park, laying of water pipeline and construction of water tank which are useful to the local denizens and leave the rest to the municipality.
In reply to a question, Mr. Subba Reddy said the government is not against funding Garuda flyover at Tirupati, however a decision over the issue will be taken only after discussing with the government as the town has already been declared a smart city. To another query, he said the board is committed to protecting the environs of sacred town and hence in favour of introducing electric buses and cars on its ghat roads.
Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy is very particular in solving the problems faced by TTD employees. Hence a sub-committee has been formed to redress the problems of forest, contract workers and time-scale employees working in the TTD with a direction to submit its report by next meeting.
When asked, he said no discussions were held with regard to reinstatement of Ramana Dikshitulu as the issue is pending in the court.
