Land hurdle hits expansion work

Tirupati: Implementation of master plan to develop Srikalahasti Devasthanam to meet the ever-increasing requirements of devotees has, of late, slowed down considerably.

Collector PS Pradyumna is brining pressure on the temple authorities, but they are worried over quickening the pace of works as some land parcels are yet to be handed over to the temple administration.

The original deadline of July 15 has passed and the authorities are yet to complete the acquisition. The Collector was informed that as many as 37 persons are yet to take compensation amount and hand over their land to the devasthanam.

Srikalahasti Devasthanam also known as ‘Dakshina Kasi’ has been drawing huge crowds year after year. The annual revenue also has reached a peak of Rs146 crore in 2017-18 which is the highest among any other temple barring Tirumala temple.

Rahu Kethu pujas being performed in the temple have acquired importance and devotees have been flocking the temple to perform these rituals. More than 10 lakh devotees have performed pujas every year, contributing Rs 60 crore to the devasthanam.

Every day people come to the temple in large numbers and on auspicious days and weekends the number goes up further. With a view to this, it was proposed to implement master plan for the temple area to create more amenities for the devotees taking in to consideration the expected growth in their number during the next 100 years.

After nine rounds of talks both in Srikalahasti and Tirupati between district administration, temple authorities and denizens who are having properties around the temple area, it was decided to pay Rs 38,400 per square yard. Accordingly, the government has sanctioned Rs 94.18 crore to be paid as compensation to 199 persons towards their properties.

The total area to be acquired was said to be 3.90 acres. The evicted people were asked to submit their applications to temple authorities to receive payments and so far 165 property owners have complied with the norms set and received about Rs 53 crore as compensation. As regards land belonging to the remaining 34 families, 12 of them are said to having lodges and were demanding higher compensation as they claim that they have spent huge money on their lodges.

Temple authorities also told the Collector that some people were living abroad and could not be contacted. While this is so, demolition of properties on the lands that had been acquired has also been going on slowly. After Pradyumna pulled them up at a recent review meeting, the authorities are now using more number of machines to complete the demolition drive.

Speaking to The Hans India temple Executive Engineer I Venkata Narayana said that they will complete the acquisition by July 20 and actual implementation of master plan works will begin soon after for which the architectural plan has already been prepared.

In the first phase of master plan it was proposed to take up construction of queue lines, toilets for devotees, luggage counters, ticket counters and road widening and beautification works will be taken up. In the second phase Rahu Kethu puja mandapam waiting complex, entry plaza and other works will begin, he said.