News Brief
TTD Launches Urban Design And Planning Cell To Tackle Overcrowding At Tirupati Temple, Upgrade Aging Infrastructure
Sri Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala, Tirupati. (Nikhilb239/Wikipedia)
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), with approval from the Andhra Pradesh government, has established a dedicated Urban Design and Planning (UDP) Cell to guide Tirumala’s development marking the most ambitious planning initiative in four decades.
The creation of the UDP Cell, spearheaded by TTD Executive Officer J Shyamala Rao, was approved in a recent Cabinet meeting, The New Indian Express reported.
It comes as the hill shrine town faces mounting pressures from overcrowding, accommodation shortages, and ageing infrastructure, all while striving to preserve its sacred heritage.
The cell comprises eight specialist roles: Director (Planning), Planning Officer, Associate Planner, Assistant Planner, Superintendent, GIS Specialist, Architectural Draughtsman, and Surveyor.
While the Director and Planning Officer will be drawn on deputation from the Town & Country Planning Department, other posts may be filled via direct recruitment or deputation.
Notably, the State government has also sanctioned revised pay scales for the GIS Specialist and Surveyor to attract high-calibre talent.
The initiative aligns with a resolution passed by the TTD Trust Board on 24 December 2024, aiming to create a structured and culturally respectful approach to urban development in Tirumala.
Key projects include building a state-of-the-art Central Reception Office, redesigning shopping complexes and food courts, and improving both TTD-run and private eateries.
Plans also extend to new roads, pedestrian pathways, and essential facilities that better serve the increasing number of devotees.
The cell will evaluate existing structures and make recommendations for demolitions or reconstructions, ensuring all upgrades adhere to temple traditions and Hindu architectural aesthetics.
“Our objective is to create a next-generation ambiance while retaining Tirumala’s spiritual essence,” said EO J Shyamala Rao.
With a workforce of over 17,000 employees—5,000 permanent and 12,000 contractual, TTD is poised for a transformative leap, with the UDP Cell expected to bring lasting impact.
