The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) has cancelled all VIP break darshans for devotees carrying recommendation letter on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays for 10 weeks, starting from April 7.

The TTD announced this on Monday and said that it took the decision, keeping in mind the high pilgrim turnout during the summer holidays.

Addressing media persons, TTD Executive Officer D Sambasiva Rao said there would be no special darshan during week days either, for those carrying recommendation letters from legislators and bureaucrats.

Meanwhile, the board also discussed other issues and made a few more proposals.

TTD chairman Chadalawada Krishnamurthy also addressed media persons, saying, "The TTD Trust Board has approved Rs 86 crore worth development works during its board meeting, of which Rs 53 crore is towards housekeeping and management services in Tirumala.” 

The board also decided to postpone the decision of hiking the cost of its 'Tirupati laddu', until its next meeting.

Last month, the TTD approved its annual budget for 2017-18, projecting an estimated revenue of Rs 2,858 crore.

The budget outlay went up by 5.85%, from Rs.2,678 crore for 2016-17.

At the time, Krishnamurthy said that cash offerings by devotees at the temple 'hundi' is projected for Rs 1,110 crore while interest on investments in various nationalised banks is estimated to fetch Rs 807.7 crore.

TTD expects Rs 100 crore from the sale of hair offered by devotees, who get their heads tonsured after 'darshan'. The sale of Rs 300 special entry 'darshan' is expected to fetch a minimum of Rs 256 crore for the financial year.

The sale of 'laddu prasadam' is expected to generate an additional Rs 165 crore for the TTD.

(With IANS inputs)