Leaders question BJP's dual stand on TTD funds spending in Tirupati

Tirupati: BJP leaders' dual stand on TTD funds spending for development works has drawn criticism by political circles. Recently BJP local leader Bhanu Prakash Reddy had filed a case against the TTD money spending for construction of Garuda flyover in the city.

With the aim to sort out traffic woes and for the convenience of people, TTD came forward to share the expenditure for the construction of 6.5 km Garuda flyover from Tirupati outskirts to Alipiri (Tirumala Ghat road entrance).

For this TTD had allotted Rs 484 crores along with the funds of Municipal Corporation of Tirupati (MCT) which has taken the fly over work as part of smart city project and the works are progressing. Meanwhile, Bhanu Prakash Reddy raised an objection and filed a petition in AP High Court pleading the court to stop investing TTD money for Garuda Flyover.

In fact, the Garuda Flyover construction is very useful for vehicle movement of devotees towards Tirumala. Presently the commuters are facing hardships to move towards Tirumala Ghat road via Bypass road and other narrow roads of Tirupati.

As part of Smart city project, officials had planned for Garuda Flyover construction and sought TTD help for financial assistance for the elevated corridor.

Majority of the local leaders and social activists are opposing the objection by BJP leaders on TTD money spending. They question the dual role of BJP in this regard. TTD had sanctioned Rs 3.45 crores for construction of its Kalyana mandapam in Ahmadabad of Gujarat state with the recommendation of a senior BJP leader.

TTD had mentioned the details in its order. The order copy came to light on Saturday. With regard to this row, Tirupati Srivari Devotees organisation activist P Naveen Kumar Reddy has questioned the BJP dual stand on TTD money spending.

He asked the BJP leaders, ``Why they are maintaining silence on TTD money of 3.45 crores spending for Kalyana mandapam construction in BJP ruled Gujarat state, and why the Tirupati BJP leader had filed a petition against the city flyover construction. "