Five paid Rs 4 crore to implement master plan in Srikalahasti of Andhra Pradesh

TIRUPATI: To increase the flow of pilgrims to Srikalahasti temple, implementation of the master plan commenced with the first step of distribution of five cheques to four shop owners and a house owner in and around the Shiva temple on Monday towards compensation for their acquired property. All the five were handed over cheques for Rs 4 crore.

Implementing the State government’s master plan in Srikalahasti by evicting 199 private owners, who stayed, lived and had been doing business since several decades, under the Land Acquisition Act commenced. As part of the Tourism Circuit Project, the government has several development plans, which also covers Srikalahasti temple.

Rs 100 crore allocated

For an implementation of the master plan in Srikalahasti, the government has allocated `100 crore, which is meant for the purpose of eviction of 199 families in and around the temple. According to the revenue records and the Land Acquisition Special Officer’s final report, after taking the government approval under the Compensation and Rehabilitation Act, there are 12 lodges around the temple and in the Sannidhi Street along with 56 shops and vacant land of 26 persons, and 105 houses.

All the properties were evaluated by the R&B engineers recently and some of the owners handed over their property documents to the officials concerned expressing their willingness to leave the place after accepting the compensation. Based on the documents, so far five persons received cheques towards compensation. Physical evaluation of the house, reconstruction cost and rehabilitation sum and cost of the site are the components of compensation for the 199 displaced families.

Another 40 property owners give nod

“After witnessing payment of compensation, another 40 owners handed over their property documents to the Land Acquisition authorities,” Srikalahasti temple Executive Engineer Venkata Narayana told Express.
He said that all these property documents are under verification and at the same time every owner has to attend counselling and talks on payment of compensation.

After land acquisition, the actual master plan would be implemented, which includes formation of queue lines, facilities to devotees, some constructions, ticket booking counter and many other amenities.
“Within two months, the list of all the displaced will be finalised and land will be handed over to the temple administration after payment of compensation,” said the land acquisition officials.