TIRUMALA, June 30, 2013: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) is seriously contemplating constructing a massive Pilgrim Amenities Complex not only at the flood ravaged sacred shrine of Kedarnath but also at Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri that are the halts for the Char Dham yatra.

In an exclusive interview to The Hindu , the TTD Executive Officer L.V. Subramanyam on Saturday said that after having witnessed Nature’s fury in Uttarakhand that left hundreds dead and thousands marooned, the management has decided to go ahead with the proposal in the larger interest of the devotees.

It is against this backdrop that the TTD addressed a letter to the State government seeking its permission to work out the required logistics. Dwelling further, he said that a disaster of this magnitude was inconceivable and said that the unheeded cries for help by those stranded was appalling. The reports that people survived without food and shelter through the catastrophic period might have been one of the main reasons that influenced the management to think on the lines of providing permanent succour to the pilgrims.

Rough estimates peg the construction cost of each amenities complex at around Rs. 10 crore. Mr. Subramanyam said once rescue operations are completed, the TTD will broach the matter with the Government of Uttarakhand.

Source: The Hindu, Dt: 30th June, 2013