Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu launched Rs 3,222 crore worth of Tirupati pilgrim infrastructure projects and the TTD's Venkatadri app. The twin push is aimed at easing navigation, accommodation, food access and other essential services for devotees.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu launches Tirupati projects worth Rs 3,222 crore, unveils Venkatadri app. (Photo: India Today)
Amaravati,Oct 13, 2026 11:33 IST
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday virtually launched development projects worth Rs 3,222 crore in Tirupati, including a large pilgrim accommodation complex, a free food centre, amenities complexes and a multi-level parking facility.
The projects are aimed at improving infrastructure and facilities for devotees visiting the temple town, according to a press release.
Naidu also laid the foundation stone for nine master plan roads to facilitate the development of a residential layout for employees of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the release said.
The biggest project is a pilgrim accommodation complex at Alipiri, which will be built at a cost of Rs 1,332 crore. Spread across four blocks, it will have 2,700 rooms and the capacity to accommodate 15,000 devotees a day.
An Annaprasadam centre, which will provide free meals to pilgrims, will be constructed at a cost of Rs 160 crore. It will be able to serve 6,000 devotees at a time.
The plan also includes four pilgrim amenities complexes that will provide resting facilities for 16,000 devotees at a time.
A multi-level parking facility, estimated to cost Rs 311 crore, will have space for 4,500 vehicles. Several other infrastructure projects are also part of the development plan.
CM NAIDU LAUNCHES VENKATADRI APP FOR PILGRIMS
Naidu also virtually launched 'Venkatadri', a digital navigation and pilgrim-assistance mobile application developed by the TTD to help devotees navigate Tirumala and locate essential facilities.
The app features an artificial intelligence-powered voice assistant that provides round-the-clock guidance. Pilgrims can use voice commands to find facilities such as drinking-water points and darshan entry points, according to the TTD.
Venkatadri maps more than 350 locations across 25 categories, including hospitals and medical centres, parking areas, public toilets, bus stops, luggage centres, food outlets and canteens. It also helps users locate room-allotment counters, pilgrim help desks, TTD offices and sub-enquiry offices.
The application supports offline navigation, allowing devotees to access location information in areas with weak or no internet connectivity. Its 'Mark My Spot' feature enables users to save their parking location or another important place and navigate back to it.
The app also provides one-touch access to emergency contacts, police services and the TTD helpline, besides displaying bus routes and timings.
Available in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Hindi and English, Venkatadri is intended to make navigation and access to essential services easier for pilgrims visiting Tirumala.
The TTD is also developing kiosk facilities for devotees who do not own smartphones, the release said.
The temple administration said the initiative aims to improve access to essential information and make visits to the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple more convenient.
The TTD is the official custodian of the Sri Venkateswara temple at Tirumala, one of the world's wealthiest Hindu temples.
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With PTI inputs