AP Bans Construction Atop Hill Shrines

Hyderabad : In the wake of large-scale constructions coming up atop the famous hill shrines of Srisailam, Simhachalam, Annavaram, Vijayawada and Dwaraka Tirumala endangering the historical temple structures, the AP government on Friday issued orders banning new constructions near these shrines.

According to a GO issued here, the administrative buildings, choultries, pilgrim amenity complexes, guest houses, shopping complexes, hospitals, dispensaries, schools and colleges or any other construction activity, which is unrelated to religious activities of the temple, would not be allowed henceforth.

No executive officer would be allowed to carry out any new work without prior approval of the endowments commissioner and the government in major hilltop temples. However, on case-by-case basis, construction of Annadana Satram, Veda Pathasala, queue lines or queue complexes, drinking water reservoirs, toilets and other sanitation facilities, Vrata Mandapams, Yagasalas or any structure where rituals take place would be allowed, the order said.

The order further stated that trees atop hill shrines would not be allowed to cut and pilgrim amenity complexes, choultries, kalyana mandapams and guest houses would be constructed downhill. “The executive officer would undertake massive afforestation and watershed programmes to increase the flora and fauna on the hills. Landscaping activities would be undertaken extensively on top of the hills,” the GO added.

Source : New Indian Express