TTD chairman BR Naidu presides over the board meeting in Tirumala on Saturday.
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) chairman BR Naidu on Saturday (February 28) announced a series of far-reaching decisions aimed at strengthening pilgrim services, education, infrastructure and security across the temple administration, signaling what he described as a comprehensive push for modernization rooted in tradition.
Talking to the media along with Chief Executive Officer M. Ravichandra, he said the Board has approved an allocation of ₹ 118.89 crore for the upgradation of educational institutions run by TTD in line with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s vision. The proposals include the introduction of digital classrooms, the construction of additional hostels, the modernization of kitchens and major infrastructure improvements.
The board also approved the pilot launch of the ‘Srivari Mudupu Patram Scheme’, which allows pilgrims to make vow-related payments through UPI at designated counters and deposit the receipt directly into the hundi, reducing reliance on cash.
A major addition to pilgrim amenities will be the construction of an advanced Annaprasadam complex and a state-of-the-art kitchen at Tirumala with a proposed donation of ₹100-120 crore from Reliance Industries Limited. The board also revised the guidelines of the SRIVANI Trust in view of the rising cost of building temple structures like prakarams and rajagopurams.
A ₹ 20.17 crore dry island project was approved in Vontimitta to install a 108-foot statue of Jambavantha. For the annual brahmotsavams, about 70,000 devotees who attend the Sri Sita Rama Kalyanam on April 1 will receive free Tirumala Srivari Laddu Prasadam with ₹4.25 million sanctioned for lighting, public address systems and LED displays.
The security infrastructure will be significantly enhanced with the deployment of over 700 personnel through the Army Welfare Placement Organisation, the installation of X-ray baggage scanners and door metal detectors at Alipiri at a cost of ₹8 crore and the establishment of a command and control center at Tirupati at a cost of ₹10.75 crore to monitor TTD institutions across the country.
The Council further approved development works in goshalas and Sri Venkateswara Incubation Centre, proposals for promotion of 51 Paricharakas as Archakas, allotment of Divya Kshetram in Parvathipuram Manyam district and civic improvements around Sri Govindaraja Swamy Temple.
The TTD also warned of strict legal action against those spreading false and misleading content about Tirumala on social media, saying such acts hurt the sentiments of devotees.
Published – 28 Feb 2026 21:23 IST
