CM lays foundation stone for new building for SVITSA

Tirupati, Sep 16 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajashekara Reddy laid the foundation stone for the new building for Sri Venkateswara Institute of Traditional Sculpture and Architecture (SVITSA) of TTD at Alipiri here today.

After the inauguration, interacting with students, who were doing courses on stone and sudai sculpture, Dr Reddy enquired about the facilities and quality of teaching in the institute.

The new building, worth Rs 5.30 crore, would comprise six class rooms, labs and library and accommodate about 500 students.

SVITSA had also introduced courses on temple architecture, metal sculpture, wood sculpture and traditional painting recently.

The TTD Board had recently approved scholarship of Rs one lakh to each student, besides increasing the stipend from Rs 100 to Rs 500 to the local students and Rs 250 to those staying in the hostel.

The TTD Board had also decided to provide stone idols to the needy temples constructed in and around the country and also abroad.

The students, who could not secure jobs after completing the course in the institution were being entrusted for preparation of stone idols on piece contract rate.

Later, the Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone for the proposed Rs nine crore 13-lane Sapthagiri high security zone for checking all the vehicles proceeding to Tirumala for darshan of Lord Balaji at Alipiri here.

The zone would comprise pre-fabricated steel roofing at check posts with automatic toll barriers besides toll fee collection booths. Dormitory buildings, TTD vigilance office rooms, watch tower and public toilets for gents and ladies also would be constructed at the security zone complex.

The decision to establish the high security zone was taken in the recent board meeting folllowing the terrorist threat to Tirumala temple.

The Board also decided to set up sophisticated security gadgets on the main check posts at Tirumala and Tirupati with an estimated cost of Rs 10 crore.

UNI