TTD blames Archaeology department for Vontimitta temple

Lack of tourist amenities at Vontimitta shrine

​Kadapa: Lord Kodandaram temple at Vontimitta, which is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Archaeology, is not able to rise to the occasion to provide amenities like toilets and rest houses to devotees, whose number is swelling year after year owing to the strategic location of the temple on the road to Tirupati.

The temple was merged with the TTD two years ago, but its development was not in tune with the devotees’ expectations. It was announced at the time of merger that the temple would be developed at a cost of Rs 100 crore to provide various tourist amenities. While the devotees of Lord Sri Rama are seething with anger over the tardy progress, the TTD is shifting the blame on the archeology department.

The temple gained significance as the Government of Andhra Pradesh chose it to celebrate Sri Rama Navami since 2015 in the post-bifurcation scenario as Bhadrachalam had gone to Telangana. Very little has been achieved in terms of development of amenities at the temple.

Earlier, the Archeology Department ruled that no structure should come up within a radius of 300 metres from the temple since it is a heritage structure. Because of the strictures, parking sheds for vehicles, structures to store flowers, outlets to sell prasadam, information dissemination centre, rest houses for tourists, protective wall, welcome arches, relocation of toilets and such other works could not be taken up.

The tourists, especially the women, have been facing problems for want of rest houses and toilets. By and large, progress of the temple was limited to development of Mada streets alone.
The Archeology department is not permitting the TTD even to apply a coat of colours to the temple gopuram for Sriramanavami celebrations, the TTD says.

The TTD has submitted proposals to execute the works at a cost of Rs 10.18 crore and awaiting permission of the archeology department to execute them. Moreover, the TTD says that it would have no objection if the Archeology department executes them or allows the TTD to execute them without causing damage to the temple. On the whole, the TTD is pointing out an accusing finger towards the Department of Archaeology.

However, the local leaders like Narasimhulu and mandal BJP leader Narasimha Reddy beg to differ and squarely blame it on the TTD for delay. Instead of taking problems to the notice of the State government or Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, the TTD is going it alone.

They blamed it for not being able to secure clearance from the Archaeology department to execute 11 ad hoc works even after two years, wondering how long it would take for the TTD to get permanent works done. They advocate that the TTD should work with coordination of one and all. Otherwise, the progress would be null and void even after 100 years.

By: Nagaraju