Tirupati, October 15: The Tirupati Task Force has mooted several proposals for the development of spiritual ambience in the temple town and improve pilgrim amenities.
Tirupati Urban Development Authority (TUDA) Chairman Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy, who took the initiative in holding the Task Force meeting in the newly inaugurated TUDA conference hall, made a Powerpoint presentation on the development proposals.
The most important problem raised at the Task Force meeting chaired by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Executive Officer IYR Krishna Rao,was traffic congestion in the temple town.
TUDA Chairman Bhaskar Reddy felt that construction of a flyover to Alipiri, the starting point to Tirumala hill shrine, was the most viable solution to end traffic chaos in the town.
Elaborating on the proposal, Municipal Commissioner P Mohan Reddy said initially a flyover was proposed from Tiruchanoor Cross to Nandi Circle (Kapilatheertham temple). After the road widening work from Tiruchanoor temple to the Agriculture Market Yard, it was proposed to construct a multi-arm flyover from the Market Yard to Nandi Circle, with one arm joining at Ramanuja Circle from Renigunta side and another at Sri Krishnadevaraya Circle (Leela Mahal) from Karkambadi side. It would also have another arm from RTC bus station.
IIT, Chennai, which studied the flyover proposal, had prepared the Detailed Project Report. The flyover was estimated to cost Rs 371 crore. It was proposed to take up the project as part of the City Development Plan, which was evolved with an outlay of Rs 2,263 crore under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), the Municipal Commissioner said.
A proposal to construct a subway from Tirupati Bus Station to Srinivasam Pilgrim Amenities Complex was also made to ensure safety of pilgrims crossing the busy main road.
The TUDA Chairman underlined the need for imposition of curbs on parking of vehicles on major roads as it was causing obstruction to free flow of vehicular traffic. Responding to the suggestion, the TTD Executive Officer said it should be done only after demarcating parking places. Mohan Reddy said the TMC would look into the matter.
The meeting resolved to ban the movement of bullock carts and seven seater autos in the city limits during peak hours. Steps would also be taken to check the stray cattle menace. The Task Force mooted to make some areas,if not the entire city, liquor free zones, where the pilgrim flow is high.
Joint Collector S Suresh Kumar said the famous pilgrim towns of Tirupati Varanasi have the dubious distinction of accounting for more liquor sale in the country.
The other proposals include laying of a road connecting RC road with DR Mahal Road on the southern side of the railway station, and link roads connecting the main roads leading to Alipiri, regularisation of bus traffic, beautification of the temple town and plantation of saplings to increase the green cover.
The Task Force would submit the proposals to the State Government soon for approval.
RTC Tirupati Regional Manager M Suryaprakash Rao, TTD, R&B, Revenue, forest and railway officials attended the meeting.
–Agencies–