Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh – The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Executive Officer, J. Syamala Rao, has outlined an ambitious roadmap to transform Tirumala into a model pilgrim center by 2047.
Speaking to media representatives at Annamaiah Bhavan on Sunday, he emphasized that the development strategy aligns with the vision of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Sri N. Chandrababu Naidu, to harmonize traditional aesthetics with modern functionality.
The TTD’s “Vision 2047” initiative, inspired by the “Swarna Andhra Vision 2047,” focuses on the strategic, sustainable development of the sacred Hill Town. The EO highlighted that TTD is actively revising the Tirumala Zonal Development Plan, last updated in 2019 based on 2017 statistics, to reflect current and future requirements.
Key components of the development plan include:
- Smart infrastructure: Footpaths, smart parking systems, and subways.
- Enhanced transport facilities: Construction of new link roads and redevelopment of major bus stands, including Rambagicha and Balaji.
- Base camp upgrades: Comprehensive development of the Alipiri base camp.
- Environmental and heritage preservation: Maintaining the sanctity of the area while ensuring modern functionality.
To achieve this transformative vision, TTD has invited proposals from reputed agencies to design concept plans for 18 major projects.
Highlighting TTD’s commitment to preserving Tirumala’s sanctity, Sri Syamala Rao outlined several recent initiatives:
- Quality enhancements: Improved taste of Laddu Prasadam through rigorous ghee testing and better raw material quality control in external laboratories.
- Pilgrim services: Continuous Annaprasadam distribution in compartments and queue lines, improved sanitation, and better management of queue systems.
- Encroachment control: Stricter regulations on unauthorized constructions and pricing in eateries.
- Rest house aesthetics: Ensuring all donor rest houses bear divine names, in keeping with Tirumala’s spiritual ambiance.
“We have achieved about 10% of what we envision, and there is much more to accomplish,” the EO remarked, adding that the development plan is being meticulously designed to reflect both equality and the sacred atmosphere of Tirumala.
TTD plans to harness cutting-edge technology to enhance the pilgrim experience. Proposed initiatives include automation of accommodation and darshan services to boost efficiency and transparency. Additionally, an AI chatbot is being considered to provide pilgrims with real-time assistance.
Sri Syamala Rao reiterated that while leveraging technology is crucial, preserving Tirumala’s spiritual and cultural heritage remains the ultimate priority. “Our goal is to ensure a seamless and spiritually enriching experience for all devotees, now and for generations to come,” he said.
The press meet was attended by TTD Additional EO Venkaiah Chowdary, JEO Goutami, CVSO Sreedhar, CE, Satyanarayana, and other senior officials, reflecting the collaborative effort driving this monumental vision forward.
With its Vision 2047 plan, TTD is not just building infrastructure but creating a benchmark for pilgrim centers worldwide, blending tradition, modernity, and sustainability.
