The controversy around the upcoming project of Hotel Mumtaz near Alipiri has now reached a stage where priests and seers have taken a hunger strike to protest against it.
The issue has been ongoing since last year when the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) passed a resolution to the government requesting to cancel the allotment of the land to the hotel developers.
Now in recent development, Tirumala Tirupati seers have gone on an indefinite hunger strike in front of the TTD building, demanding that the hotel construction be stopped immediately.
What Is The Mumtaz Hotel?
In 2021 the YSRCP-led Andhra Pradesh government had passed a government order (GO) that proposed a large-scale luxury tourism project to be built near Tirupati in order to boost tourism and local employment there.
The project was going to be developed using incentives from the 2020-2025 Tourism Policy launched by the state government.
Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Yeduguri Sandinti (Y.S.) Jagan Mohan Reddy had given that land at the foothills of the Balaji Temple to Mumtaz Hotels Ltd (a subsidiary of The Oberoi Group) to build a luxury project using subsidies and tax benefits from the government.
According to reports, Mumtaz Hotel Ltd is a joint venture between EIH Limited and GB Group with EIH (East India Hotels) being a flagship company under the Oberoi Group.
As per the GO, the developers would build a luxury hotel project with 100 villas on an initial investment of Rs. 250 crore that would be operational by March 2027.
The Mumtaz Hotel was expected to have luxury villas, “multi-cuisine, fine-dining restaurants, conference and banquet facilities with other amenities as a coffee shop, bar and lounge, spa and fitness centre, and a swimming pool” and eventually expand to add 25 rooms by 2030.
A 2024 director’s report of Mumtaz Hotel Ltd under ‘Project Under Development’ mentioned “Trident Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh”. The report claimed that “During the Financial Year, construction of a luxury hotel comprising of 100 rooms and suites at Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh was approved by the Board of Directors on land measuring 20 acres on the foothills of the Balaji Temple in Tirupati offered by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (Wholly owned Corporation of Government of Andhra Pradesh) with a lease period of 90 years. This hotel will be operational by March 2027.”
The report further wrote that a “Management and Technical Service Agreement was executed between the Company and EIH Limited for managing and operating Trident – Tirupati. A royalty agreement was also signed and executed between the Company and Oberoi Hotels Private Limited for using the “Trident” brand in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh.”
The report also revealed that a lease agreement with the Government of Andhra Pradesh was signed on March 31, 2023 “for acquisition of 20 acres of land for setting up a five star luxury hotel/resort in Tirupati” and that the board in November that year “approved construction of five star Trident Hotel therein with 100 rooms at an estimated investment of Rs. 142 crores. The Board also approved management agreement with EIH Ltd. (EIHL) to manage the proposed hotel.”
The report also stated the lease agreement was “for a period of 94 years towards developing and operating a luxury resort at Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh and had recognised a Right-of-use asset amounting to Rs. 23.52 million and Lease liability amounting Rs. 22.73 million. As per the terms of the lease, the Company has to complete the project (i.e., development of a hotel) within a period of 4 years from March 31, 2023.”
The project was also said to create employment opportunities of around 1,500 jobs.
Read More: Why Are Sai Baba Idols Being Removed From Temples All Of A Sudden?
Why Are Priests Protesting?
The project has been met with protests since the beginning with religious groups and individuals in the state raising concerns that this could religious sentiments and impact the sanctity of the Seven Hills.
According to reports, while serving as the state’s chief minister in 2019, N Chandrababu Naidu had allocated a 20-acre land for a project called ‘Devalokam’.
TTD Chairman BR Naidu speaking with ANI said “When Chandrababu Naidu was the Chief Minister, the original project was Devalokam. The government land was given to Tourism to develop this project. However, the previous government changed it and gave it to Mumtaz Hotel. Since it is adjacent to the temple, it is highly objectionable for Hindus.”
Now Tirumala Tirupati seers led by Andhra Pradesh Sadhu Parishad President Sirnivasananda Saraswati Swamy on Wednesday decided to go on an indefinite hunger strike right in front of the Tirumala Tirupati Devastanams (TTD) administrative building.
They demanded that the hotel’s construction near Alipiri Srivari Padalu be stopped immediately and also that Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan respond on how the project was still being allowed to continue.
These priests believe that the project would “violate the sanctity” of the seven holy hills.
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: The Economic Times, India Today, Telangana Today
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This post is tagged under: Tirumala, Tirumala priests, Tirumala temple, Tirumala mumtaz hotel, mumtaz hotel, mumtaz hotel tirupati, mumtaz hotel owner, mumtaz hotel project tirumala, ttd, ttd tirumala
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