Sri Venkateswar, Tirumala. | Photo Credit: Hind
The investment proposal for the Oberoi group near the foot of the Sri Venkateswara temple, Tirumal, which was cleaned by the previous YSRCP government in Andhra Pradesh, but was caught in religious sentiments, was resolved through an agreement on the land negotiated by the main Minister N. Chandrabab Naid.
SWAP of land will ensure that investment up to 250 GBP Crore will be maintained in the state in solving religious sentiments at the same time, the official sources said.
This question dates back to 1999, when the government issued orders of the allocation of 50 acres of land in the village of Perur, rural tirupati, tourism department, for the development of visitors for the use of the pilgrims of the Temple of Venkatesware.
The YSRCP government then assigned 20 hectares of 20 hectares to the Oberoi group for the development of the resort. The assignment was carried out on behalf of Oberoi’s special purpose vehicle (SPV) called Mumtaz Hotels Ltd.
The name of the SPV project upset religious feelings and led to protests of religious groups looking for the abolition of land allocation.
After these protests, Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), who manages the temple, resolutions in November 2024, decided to ask the government to cancel this assignment and ensure that the soil was earmarked only for purposes that is in accordance with Tirumale.
The main minister Mr. Naida then ordered TTD to take the country back and assign an alternative piece of 20 acre country to the Oberoi group. This swap mechanism was approved by TTD at the meeting of the Board of Directors in July 2025.
TTD offered an alternative land nearby near 2-3 km and then the assignment of Mumtaz Hotels was canceled on August 7 through the government order.
Cabinet will nod soon
To operate the swap mechanism, alternative soil was obtained by separating tourism and would be assigned to the Oberoi group. This mechanism has already been approved by the Committee on Promotion of State Investment (SIPC) at its 22nd August 2025 meeting and this step is likely to be approved by the State Cabinet at the end of this week, the official sources said.
“With this swap organization, the Andhra Pradesh (led by Mr. Naida) retained the most valuable Indian brand of the luxury hotel and also respected religious feelings,” says TDP spokesman Jyothsna Tirunagari.
“The state government very enthusiastically protects the interests of investors and will also take into account the religious feelings of the people,” she added.
TTD stated that the decision was made to protect the sacredness and safety of the temple districts.
According to G. Bhan Prakash Reddy, Member TTD Trust Board: “It’s just land exchange. The previous land was at the foot of Tirumala. It will protect the sacredness of religious sentiment.”
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Published – August 26 2025 22:37
