TIRUMALA: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Chairman BR Naidu on Wednesday categorically stated that the Board is not prepared to increase contributions to the Common Good Fund (CGF). In an interview with TNIE, Naidu said, “the Endowments Department has issued a notice to TTD to raise its CGF contribution from the existing Rs 40 crore or contribute up to 9% of TTD’s revenue. We are opposing this. There is no scope for increasing the CGF,” the Chairman affirmed.
“In 2022, the State Government handed over the Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (SVIMS) to TTD. In the last board meeting, we resolved to recruit 499 medical and paramedical staff, which will incur wage expenses of Rs 141 crore annually—up from the earlier Rs 68 crore,” the TTD Chirman added.
He further said, “In addition, we are administering several educational institutions, providing recurring grants to universities, colleges, schools, and welfare organisations, and maintaining roads and providing other facilities in Tirupati. Considering all these responsibilities, increasing the CGF is not feasible.”
Aadhaar verification for TTD services approved
The Chairman announced that TTD has received permission from the Centre to verify Aadhaar cards while devotees avail of its services. “Our request for Aadhaar verification has been approved. The verification fee will be Rs 0.70 per transaction,and transactions will be conducted through an authorised link,” he said.
AI Integration in TTD services soon
Naidu emphasized that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will soon play a major role in Tirumala and other TTD-administered temples.
“We plan to introduce AI tools within a month or two and integrate them into every TTD service Several IT companies and startups are already working with us on these initiatives,” he said. He added that donation kiosks, Laddu dispensers, and information kiosks have already been installed. “These service kiosks will soon become the norm on the Sacred Hills,” he said.
Temple construction and expansion plans
In the next 90 days, nearly 100 temple construction projects are expected to be completed. “We have taken up temple construction projects in Karimnagar (Rs 35 crore on 10 acres), Kodangal (Rs 114 crore on 50–60 acres), and another Rs 35 crore temple in AP. Additionally, temples in Khammam and Manthani are being built at Rs 15 crore each,” he said.
Massive recruitment drive on the cards
Naidu revealed that TTD is preparing for large-scale recruitment to fill vacancies created by recent retirements. “TTD will soon conduct a recruitment drive across various departments. This has become the need of the hour, especially since no major recruitment has taken place in nearly four decades. Our current workforce stands at just over 4,000,” he said. Food Safety Officers, both senior and junior, will be appointed within a week or two, he said.
Hotels in Tirumala to be leased to pvt chains
“There are currently 10 large and 6 small hotels in Tirumala. These will be leased to reputed national-level private hotel chains on a minimum rent per square foot basis. However, this will happen only after renovation and redesign in line with devotional and cultural architecture,” he explained.
“The menu and pricing of food items will be determined by TTD’s expert committee. We are also planning to ban junk food. Additional EO Venkaiah Choudary is overseeing this initiative, and Chinese food is already being gradually phased out,” he added.
Crackdown on touts & fraudulent bookings
Naidu said action is being taken against touts and fraudulent bookings. “We first decided to cancel ticket allocations to the Tourism Development Corporation. Our next focus was on touts, online frauds, and other illegal practices. We have booked a large number of cases against the violators,” he said.
Major resolutions
Removal of other religious practices from TTD services
Complete ban on political speeches in Tirumala
Introduction of spicy vada in Annadanam menu
Darshan facility for locals
Renaming of all guest houses after deities
Renaming of bridge as “Garuda Varadhi”
Expansion of the existing 11-lane toll gate to 20 lanes
Formation of a panel for development of SVIMS