TTD land being looted in the name of tourism development: YSRCP leader Karunakar Reddy

Senior YSR Congress Party leader and former Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Chairman B. Karunakar Reddy has accused the NDA coalition government of attempting to hand over highly valuable and sacred TTD land to the Oberoi luxury hotel group under the guise of tourism development.

In a statement issued on Wednesday night, Karunakar Reddy alleged that the land swap deal lacked transparency and that the registration process was completed secretly, without public discussion. He described the move as an open plunder of Lord Venkateswara’s properties and termed it the biggest scam in TTD’s history.

According to Karunakar Reddy, more than 20 acres of prime TTD land near Alipiri in Tirupati, with a registration value exceeding ₹460 crore and an estimated open market value of over ₹3,000 crore, was exchanged for Tourism Department land worth only about ₹18 crore. He alleged that this land swap was designed to facilitate the construction of a five-star hotel by the Oberoi Group.

He further claimed that the government extended major concessions to the hotel group, including a waiver of nearly ₹2 crore in building fund charges and exemptions amounting to around ₹26 crore in stamp duty and lease-related fees.

Questioning the legality of the deal, Karunakar Reddy recalled a government order issued on June 2, 2007, during the tenure of former Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, which declared the seven sacred hills of Tirumala and surrounding areas as protected zones. Handing over such protected temple land to a private five-star hotel, he said, was not only illegal but also morally unacceptable. He stressed that the land exchange brought no benefit whatsoever to TTD.

He also raised concerns over environmental violations, pointing out the presence of red sandalwood trees in the Alipiri area. He questioned how construction permissions were granted without obtaining mandatory forest clearances and asked whether 20 acres of sacred land was really necessary for a hotel with just 100 rooms.

Expressing disappointment over the silence of religious heads and spiritual leaders, Karunakar Reddy urged them to speak out against what he called the systematic exploitation of Lord Venkateswara’s assets.

Holding Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, and Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh responsible for the land transfer, Karunakar Reddy demanded the immediate cancellation of the land swap. He appealed to devotees to come forward to protect the sanctity of TTD properties.

So far, the ruling Telugu Desam Party has not issued any immediate response to these allegations.