Andhra Pradesh To Connect Over 100 Temples With 205 Km Of New Roads

The Andhra Pradesh government has launched a focused road development drive to improve connectivity to major pilgrimage centres across the state, with more than 100 temples set to receive road links spanning 205 kilometres.

The initiative, being taken by the Panchayat Raj Department under the direction of Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, involves an estimated investment of around Rs 120 crore. The programme is aimed at easing the difficulties faced by devotees travelling to temples located in rural and remote areas where road infrastructure has remained inadequate.

According to the Deputy Chief Minister’s Office, funds from the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, VB-G RAM-G and SASKI, among other sources, are being utilised for the works. The broader approach is to strengthen access not only to places of worship but also to schools, hospitals and agricultural fields in rural areas.

Work on several important temple roads has already made substantial progress. Twenty-six roads have been completed and are ready for inauguration, while works on another set of roads have reached approximately 50 per cent completion.

Completed projects include road connectivity to prominent spiritual destinations such as Antarvedi Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple, Ahobilam, I.S. Jagannathapuram Ghat Road, Pudiagiri Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple, Singirikona, Someswaram and Talupulamma Lova.

Under SASKI funding, construction is also progressing on the Konaseema Tirumala Vadapalli karakatta road and other important routes. A road to the Arthagiri Sri Anjaneya Swamy temple is being developed at a cost of Rs 3 crore, among several other projects being taken up across the state.

The Sri Sathya Sai district has emerged as one of the major beneficiaries, with approximately 72 kilometres of road works currently at various stages of construction. In connection with the Sri Sathya Sai centenary celebrations, the government has allocated Rs 30 crore for roads connecting Puttaparthi.

Pawan Kalyan has directed officials to maintain strict quality standards in the construction of temple roads. He stressed that the infrastructure should not merely address immediate transportation needs but should be built to provide safe and durable access for devotees over the long term.

The government’s approach is expected to improve pilgrimage access while simultaneously strengthening rural connectivity and supporting the movement of local residents, farmers and visitors to key religious destinations.