AP expands connectivity to 100+ major temples

The program covers roads being developed through funds from schemes including MGNREGS, VB-G RAM-G and SASCI, with emphasis on connectivity to temples as well as schools, hospitals and agricultural areas

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Andhra Pradesh is giving a major infrastructure push to religious tourism by developing road connectivity to more than 100 prominent temples and pilgrimage centers, with the Panchayat Raj Department taking up 205 km of temple-linked roads at an estimated cost of Rs 120 crore.

The initiative, driven by Panchayat Raj Minister Pawan Kalyan, seeks to address a longstanding problem faced by devotees visiting temples located in rural and remote areas. The government has prioritized roads connecting not only major pilgrimage centres but also lesser-known shrines that attract growing numbers of devotees despite inadequate access.

The program covers roads being developed through funds from schemes including MGNREGS, VB-G RAM-G and SASCI, with emphasis on connectivity to temples as well as schools, hospitals and agricultural areas. Progress on the temple-road program is already visible. Twenty-six roads have been completed and are ready for inauguration, while work on another 40 per cent of the projects has reached around 50 per cent completion.

Several important pilgrimage routes have already been completed, including roads to Antarvedi Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple, Ahobilam, Sri Gattu Venkataramana Swamy temple in Madanapalle, Devaraya Nallagangamma temple, the Pudyagiri Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple ghat road near Marripudi, Singirikona and Someswaram routes, Talupulamma Lova and the I.S. Jagannadhapuram ghat road.

Among the projects currently progressing are the Vadapalli Kshetra Tirumala Kshetra karakatta road in Konaseema, the Rs 3-crore road to Ardhagiri Sri Anjaneya Swamy temple, and temple roads in Tenali, Rayachoti, Nidadavole and Puthalapattu. The road to Malleshwara Swamy temple at Thotavaripalli is also under development. Special attention is being given to Sri Sathya Sai district, where nearly 72 km of roads have been sanctioned at various stages of implementation. As part of preparations for the centenary celebrations of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Rs 30 crore has been allocated for roads connecting Puttaparthi.

Pawan Kalyan has directed officials to maintain strict quality standards and ensure that the roads remain durable over the long term. He has also sought field-level inspections of completed projects before they are opened to the public. With additional temple roads being planned, the government is positioning improved pilgrimage connectivity as both a devotee-focused initiative and a rural development strategy, linking faith, tourism and basic infrastructure.