Naidu Calls for Net Zero, Zero Waste Model for Tirumala

Tirupati: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has called for developing Tirumala and Tirupati as environmentally sustainable pilgrimage centres based on a net-zero and zero-waste model, with use of renewable energy, tree plantation and water conservation.

Reviewing the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams’ activities with officials in Tirumala on Wednesday, Naidu told the media that 89.5 per cent of Tirumala was under green cover. He stressed the need to protect the hill town’s environment, traditions and culture while developing pilgrimage facilities.

Naidu said Tirumala and Tirupati should adopt the net-zero concept using solar and wind power with battery storage. He suggested installing solar panels on all TTD buildings. TTD currently generates around one crore units of electricity against consumption of nearly 10 crore units, he said.

The CM called for channeling of TTD waste into a circular economy and implementation of a zero waste system. A tree-plantation programme, including medicinal plants, would be taken up under Vruksha Govindam, he said.

The water flowing from the seven hills, he said, should be conserved to improve groundwater levels. Water would be brought to Somasila next year and subsequently to Kandaleru Balaji Sagar, while water would also be taken to Kalyani Dam next year.

The Chief Minister said Tirupati should be developed as a spiritual hub with economic activity, with the large pilgrim footfall helping the region emerge as a service hub. He proposed developing Tirupati as a wedding destination and holding Srivari Brahmotsavams in Tirupati along with Tirumala.

A skywalk connecting the Tirupati railway station and bus stand had been proposed by Naidu, saying this would be taken up with the Centre’s cooperation. A multi-storey parking facility was planned on the recently acquired 50 acres in Tirupati, while steps would also be taken to connect the city with various highways.

He said the government was taking steps to provide house sites and basic infrastructure to 5,192 TTD employees at a cost of Rs 230 crore. Details of TTD properties, jewellery, gold, funds and lands would be placed online.

Naidu said the SV Annaprasadam Trust had a corpus of Rs 3,165 crore and steps would be taken to improve the annaprasadam services. The Pranadanam Trust would provide better medical services, while the SVIMS, BIRRD, Ruia, Central Hospital and Children’s Hospital would be linked for coordinated treatment.

TTD would also coordinate with non-profit organisations and link Aravind and cancer hospitals in Tirupati. Doctors would be encouraged to serve as Srivari Sevaks under the principle of “service to humanity is service to God”.

He said over 12 lakh people had registered as Srivari Sevaks and their services would be linked with temple and social service programmes. Under SRIVANI, around 5,000 temples would be constructed across the state and the existing temples reconstructed where necessary.

"The 65 temples under TTD would be divided into A, B and C categories to speed up development. Requests for Srivari temples elsewhere in India and countries including Mauritius and New Zealand were also being considered", he added.