The Muzrai Department and Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) have signed an agreement to entrust the operation and management of the Karnataka Tourist Complex at Tirumala in Andhra Pradesh to KSTDC.
The agreement was signed at a programme chaired by Energy and Tourism Minister K.J. George, in the presence of Muzrai, Fisheries and Ports Minister K.S. Basavanthappa and KSTDC Chairman M. Srinivas on Thursday in Bengaluru.
The initiative is aimed at providing pilgrims from Karnataka travelling to Tirupati with clean, safe, quality and affordable accommodation, while creating a professional model for managing government tourism assets and strengthening the State’s pilgrimage tourism ecosystem, according to a release.
Under the agreement, KSTDC will take over the operation and management of 364 rooms, 12 dormitories, a Kalyana Mantapa and other major hospitality facilities spread across five blocks at the Karnataka Tourist Complex in Tirumala for a period of 10 years. The facilities will be upgraded in phases and maintained to standards equivalent to at least a three-star hotel.
Mr. George said, “A large number of pilgrims from Karnataka travel to Tirupati and Tirumala. Providing them with good and affordable accommodation is our first priority. At the same time, if information, connectivity and tourism facilities are integrated in a way that encourages visitors to explore other pilgrimage and tourism destinations as well, the scope of pilgrimage tourism can be expanded further. The Tourism Department will work towards developing this sector in a more systematic manner.”
The Minister directed KSTDC officials to improve room quality, cleanliness, food services, maintenance and overall hospitality at the Tirumala Tourist Complex to professional standards.
Published – October 01, 2026 08:35 pm IST
