With Tirumala’s Water Reserves of 150 Days, TTD Planning Alternative Supplies

 Tirupati: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is preparing plans for alternative water supplies to the hill town as the existing reserves are expected to last for the next 150 days.

Tirumala consumes around 50 lakh gallons of water every day. Given the background, TTD chairman B.R. Naidu, additional executive officer (EO) Ch. Venkaiah Chowdary, and engineering officials assessed on Thursday the storage levels of dams supplying water to the hill town. They review arrangements to prevent a shortage.

Speaking to media after the review, the TTD chairman disclosed that the existing water reserves are expected to last until March. He said officials are preparing contingency plans in case rainfall during the northeast monsoon fails to replenish the reservoirs. The TTD would approach the state government with its report and take appropriate decisions.

“We have already raised Tirumala’s water requirements with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu at a recent meeting. The CM expressed confidence that rainfall would occur and there would be no water shortage. However, keeping the future requirements in mind, we are readying plans on a war footing to improve water supply through Kalyani Dam or other alternative sources," B.R. Naidu said.

Additional EO Chowdary said Tirumala’s dams are expected to receive inflows from rains in November and December. If all the dams are filled to capacity, Tirumala would have sufficient water to meet its requirements for around one and a half years, he underlined.

Chowdary said TTD is creating awareness among pilgrims to prevent water wastage and is plugging leakages in cottages and rooms. He said the devasthanam would take up de-silting of dams, construction of check dams and measures to strengthen water conservation and dam safety. He maintained that all necessary steps are being taken to ensure uninterrupted water supply to pilgrims visiting Tirumala.