Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams enforces construction norms after repeated violations by Peetham.
Tirupati: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has issued a 15-day eviction notice to Visakha Sri Sarada Peetham, asking it to vacate its newly constructed premises near Gogarbham Dam. The move follows allegations of unauthorised constructions that violated TTD’s approved building norms.
The dispute dates back to 2005, when TTD leased about 5,000 square feet of land to the Peetham for accommodating pilgrims. Over the years, the Peetham extended its operations by occupying an additional 4,817 square feet, which was later regularised by the then TTD trust board in 2020 during the YSRC tenure. However, TTD’s engineering department later found that both the original and extended structures significantly exceeded the approved construction plans.
The initial building, constructed in 2007, deviated by over 1,100 square meters from the sanctioned design. Similar violations were reported in the newer structure built on the regularised land. Citing terrain constraints and spiritual requirements, such as vasthu, the Peetham admitted to the deviations and expressed willingness to pay a penalty of ₹25.99 lakh.
In December 2023, the TTD trust board passed Resolution No. 443 to regularise 1,851.06 square meters of construction deviations. The decision triggered protests from several Hindu organisations, who staged demonstrations in front of the Peetham’s premises. The proposal was subsequently referred to the then state government for ratification.
After the 2024 Assembly elections, the coalition government under Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu rejected the ratification request. The government directed TTD to initiate corrective measures and enforce construction norms strictly. A committee appointed by TTD later identified several irregularities and encroachments in the Peetham’s buildings. It also found that mandatory setbacks had not been maintained and that a canal was encroached upon during the construction of the additional structure.
Based on the committee’s findings and the trust board’s decision, TTD’s estate department issued show-cause notices to the Peetham. Though the Peetham challenged the notices in court, the judiciary upheld TTD’s authority, ruling that the constructions violated established norms. The court also observed that defiance by the Peetham could set a negative precedent for other religious institutions, warning that illegal construction or occupation could result in licence cancellation or even criminal proceedings.
Last year, acting on earlier court orders, TTD halted the Peetham’s unauthorised construction activities. Following fresh court directions, it has now served a final notice, giving Visakha Sri Sarada Peetham 15 days to vacate the unauthorised premises.
