A prime parcel of land located near the famous Kanaka Durga Temple in Vijayawada has once again become a centre of controversy amid attempts to lease it out for private use.
The three-acre land, valued at more than Rs 150 crore, belongs to C V Reddy Charities but falls within the jurisdiction of the Durga Temple administration.
Despite its strategic location near the temple, railway station, and bus stand, officials have failed to fully utilize the property for over a decade.
According to sources, repeated attempts have been made during the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) regime to lease the land for other commercial activities. A proposal was reportedly placed to lease the land to a hospital for a period of 30 years.
However, the governing board unanimously rejected the proposal, citing concerns that once the temple’s valuable land is handed over to private entities, it may never be fully recovered.
Instead, the board decided to explore alternative uses that directly benefit devotees and the temple administration. One such proposal is to establish a drinking water bottling plant on the premises.
Officials believe the facility would help provide clean water to devotees and save the temple several crores of rupees annually that are currently spent on procuring bottled water.
During the earlier Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government, about Rs 10 crore was spent to construct dormitories on the site after it came under the temple’s control. These facilities have been widely used by visiting pilgrims.
There has also been a long-standing proposal to expand the infrastructure by constructing over 100 cottage rooms to accommodate devotees.
However, during the YSRCP government, a former minister from the city reportedly attempted to secure the land for constructing a hospital through a long-term lease from the temple.
Temple employees strongly opposed the proposal at the time. Observers note that similar attempts appearing again under the current coalition government have raised fresh concerns among temple staff and devotees.
Despite the board’s decision in the past, sources say certain individuals are now still making behind-the-scenes efforts to acquire the land on lease.