Andhra Pradesh undertakes project for road connectivity to 100 pilgrimage sites

Amaravati, Aug 23 (IANS) The Andhra Pradesh government has initiated steps to provide road connectivity to over 100 major pilgrimage sites.

The Panchayat Raj Department undertook the work to connect over 100 major pilgrimage sites with a road network spanning 205 kilometres at a cost of Rs 120 crore.

According to an official release on Sunday, across the state, many rural temples lack adequate road connectivity.

Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan took note of the fact that while the number of devotees visiting pilgrimage sites like Vadapalli is steadily increasing, the necessary road infrastructure has not kept pace.

He encountered many such temples during his field visits, and the public also submitted representations highlighting the poor condition of some of these shrines. Determined to alleviate the difficulties faced by devotees due to the lack of access roads to temples, he initiated this through the Panchayat Raj Department.

Initiatives are being advanced with high priority on constructing access roads to schools, temples, hospitals, and agricultural fields, utilising funds from schemes such as the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS), VB G Ram G, and SASKI.

On the centenary celebrations of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Rs 30 crore has been allocated for the construction of roads connecting to Puttaparthi.

According to the release, Pawan Kalyan is providing continuous guidance to ensure the rapid completion of the ‘Gudi Bata’ (Temple Access Road) projects, which are being undertaken with special attention by the government.

Of the road projects currently underway at a total cost of Rs 120 crore, 26 have been completed and are ready for inauguration. Work on another 40 per cent of the roads has reached the 50 per cent completion mark.

Completed projects include access roads to the renowned Sri Lakshmi Narasimha shrines at Antarvedi and Ahobilam; the Sri Gattu Venkataramana Swamy temple in Madanapalle constituency; remote temples such as Devaraya Nallagangamma; the ghat road to the Pudiyagiri Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy shrine at Marripudi; routes in Satyavedu constituency covering Singirikona, Someswaram, and Talupulammalova; and the I.S. Jagannathapuram ghat roads.

Pawan Kalyan directed officials to ensure high-quality standards for roads leading to pilgrimage sites. He emphasised that roads constructed by the Panchayat Raj Department should serve devotees effectively for the long term.

The Deputy CM informed officials that he would personally inspect the quality of completed temple roads during field visits before making them accessible to devotees.

–IANS

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