Mon Nov 25 04:50:00 UTC 2024: ## Tirumala Temple Board Rejects Luxury Hotel Project, Demands Land Return
**TIRUPATI, INDIA –** The newly appointed Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) board has overturned a controversial decision by the previous government, demanding the cancellation of a proposed luxury hotel near the sacred Tirumala Hills. In its first meeting on Monday, the board, chaired by B.R. Naidu, passed a resolution urging the Andhra Pradesh government to revoke the land allotment for the “Mumtaz Hotel,” a project planned by a subsidiary of The Oberoi Group.
The 20-acre plot, originally intended for a different project under a previous administration, was allocated in 2021 under a government order that offered substantial tax breaks and incentives. The proposed 100-villa luxury hotel, with an estimated investment of Rs 250 crore, was projected to create 1,500 jobs. However, the TTD board cited concerns that the hotel’s proximity to the temple would be detrimental to the religious sentiments of devotees.
Chairman Naidu stated that the project, initially planned as “Devalokam,” was changed to a luxury hotel, a development the board deemed unacceptable. The TTD has formally requested the return of the land to the temple trust.
The controversial government order provided significant benefits to the developer, including a 90-year lease with favorable terms, tax exemptions, and expedited approvals. The project’s potential impact on the sanctity of Tirumala had already drawn criticism from religious groups and individuals online prior to the TTD’s intervention. This decision marks a significant reversal of the previous government’s policy and highlights the ongoing tension between development and religious sensitivities in the region.
First Piper 