AP CM inaugurates first Tirupati utsav

Tirupati, May 28 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajashekara Reddy today inaugurated the four-day Tirupati Utsav at Mahati auditorium here today.

After inaugurating the event, Mr Reddy said historical temple town would be developed in a massive way through state funds, Tirupati trust, funds and with central assistance.

He said more funds would allocated in the coming budget to the municipality for development of the temple town.

The Tirupati Utsav, with a focus on the culture and heritage of the temple town, will be held every year.

The Tirupati municipality would be upgradaded to a corporation and an I T Park would also come up in the temple town, Mr Reddy added.

The central government has already sanctioned Rs 60 crores for a second super speciality hospital here.

For a permament solution to the drinking water problem, the Gallaru-Nageri-Sujala Sravanti project would be taken up and work on it would begin in two or three months. the project will be completed in three-four years, Mr Reddy said.

Mr Reddy asked the TTD authorities to adopt new innovative methods in improving amenties for the devotees in Tirumala.

Besides maintaining the existing roads, the TTD should take up work on more roads in the temple town and avoid lapses in amenties for pilgrims, he added.

Mr Reddy also unveiled a 10-feet bronze statue of late carnatic vocalist Dr M S Subbalakshmi at Ramunjam circle, the entrance of the temple town.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Reddy, said the late ''Ms'' had rendered songs about Lord Sri Venkateswara and her audio cassetes had fetched the TTD Rs 17 crore.

Later, Mr Reddy proceeded to Nellore district, where he laid the foundation stones for a barrage and the Pennar delta modernisation system at Sangam. The government had sanctioned Rs 111.86 crore for the barrage and Rs 340.50 crore for Pennar.

UNI KNR HS DB/ KP2335