TTD EO Sri AV Dharma Reddy reiterated that TTD has not increased the rentals of cottages meant for the allotment to common pilgrims as is-propagated by some vested interests with a bad intention to malign the reputation of the institution and throwing Srivari devotees in a state of confusion.
The EO explained elaborately on the accommodation in Tirumala. He said, out of 7500 rooms in Tirumala almost 75% of rooms i.e.5000 rooms are between the tariffs of Rs.50, Rs.100 and so which are in the reach of a common pilgrim. “We have spent almost Rs.120cr to renovate all these rooms by installing new geysers, furniture, flooring, doors and windows, giving them entirely a new look.
Though the maintenance on each one of these rooms is to the tune of Rs.200-Rs.250 on us, we have not increased their rentals. Apart from these minimal tariff rooms, there are four PACs that accommodate nearly 15000 pilgrims free of cost.
Even during the previous Board Meeting, it has been decided to construct one more PAC at Rs.100 crore to accommodate another 2000 pilgrims with all free amenities”.
Adding further he said, “Upon the request of many pilgrims, we decided to give facelift to the Special Type, SVRH, VVRH and Narayanagiri Rest Houses and spent about Rs. 8crores to modernise 172 rooms on par with Sri Padmavathi Rest House where the protocol VIPs and economically rich will prefer to stay. To maintain a balance, we have increased the rentals of these 172 rooms alone since these cottages also fall under MBC and SPRH areas.
Without knowing the complete facts, some vested interests are misleading devotees with false information while a section of the media with half baked news is absolutely unfortunate. Giving priority to the common pilgrim, TTD has taken up many initiatives in recent times of which the renovation of rest houses is one of the most important tasks. For common devotees we have been offering free darshan, accommodation, tonsuring, prasadams, medical services, Annaprasadam, Jala Prasadam, transportation and on social front providing free education, free food in hostels, free medication etc. to the public also.
