KHAMMAM: Land to the extent of 65 acres around Lord Sitramachandra Swamy temple in Bhadrachalam is required for the execution of any one of the three plans designed for the temple development.
It is estimated that about 210 structures around the temple have to be demolished for the implementation of the plan. Providing land to the displaced people is not possible in the present scenario because of the non-availability of land in the temple town.
“The government should get back the villages that were handed over to the Andhra Pradesh. Each family has to be given 200 to 300 square yards land along with the compensation", said one of the persons whose land will have to be given. “Then only, the displaced people can be satisfied,” he added.
It is learnt that the government is clear that the land is acquired after the displaced persons are shifted willingly. There are nearly 1,500 displaced people. The extent of Bhadrachalam town after handing over the surrounding villages to the Andhra Pradesh to facilitate Polavaram project is around 2,100 acres. The temple plan needs 65 acres of this land. Also, there are several more private structures in 150 feet distance of the temple.
If the Government wants to build the thousand pillar mandapam in the premises of the temple, the officials will have to acquire the land till Srikrishna Temple. The Kalyana Mandapam will be extended to the Ammavari Sannidanam in Silpinagar. The proposed budget of Rs 100 crore is not sufficient with the new plans and it is likely to be hiked up to Rs 400 crore.
The government is willing to give whatever funds are required for the temple development. There is a need for new satrams and choultries to provide accommodation to the devotees. With this, the officials are searching for available government lands for it in Bhadrachalam.
Some clarity will come after the government gets back the five villages such as Kannaigudem, Pichukalapadu, Purushothapatnam, Gundala and Etapaka villages from Andhra Pradesh.
“The temple had 900 acres in Purushothampatnam and it is not right to provide rehabilitation to the evacuees there. Sending Telangana people to Andhra Pradesh will not be right and may pass across the wrong message", said a senior temple official.
