VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday approved Master Plans relating to the development of Goddess Kanaka Durga temple in Vijayawada as well as prominent temples like Srisailam and Srikalahasti. While reviewing the Srikalahasti temple master plan, the Chief Minister directed the endowments department officials to widen the surroundings of Vayulingeswara Swamy temple and ensure that devotees have hassle-free darshan.
Advising the officials to provide parking facility at SKIT and construct a cultural dais near the temple tank, he wanted them to give priority to the Swarnamukhi riverfront development by taking up beautification works. Describing tourism sector as a growth engine for the State, he directed the officials to concentrate on promotion of religious tourism. He also announced incentives to NRIs who come forward to set up three-star hotels in Srikalahasti.
On Srisailam temple, Naidu wanted to develop the religious shrine on the lines of Tirumala. He said that all the 3,250 families to be evacuated as part of the master plan will be given modern houses. An outer ring will be developed for Srisailam under public-private partnership and asked the officials to implement the master plan without causing any harm to the environment. While approving the Kanaka Durga temple master plan, Naidu promised to provide housing to those who lose houses in the widening process of Arjuna street. He asked the officials to provide parking at the land handed over by the TTD at Kummaripalem. Naidu also released brouchers relating to the ‘Trilinga Yatra’ and ‘Ashtasakthi Yatra’ packages. Endowments minister P Manikyala Rao, Forests and Environment minister B Gopalakrishna Reddy and others were present.