Renigunta Airport May Soon Be Named Sri Venkateswara International Airport, TTD Sends Proposal

During an emergency meeting of the TTD Trust Board on June 17 at Tirumala's Annamayya Bhavan, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the trust that manages the famous Tirumala temple, has officially proposed renaming Renigunta Airport in Andhra Pradesh as "Sri Venkateswara International Airport". The formal request has already been sent to the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation.

According to TTD Chairman B.R. Naidu, "The idea is to reflect the spiritual and cultural significance of Lord Venkateswara across every touchpoint that connects pilgrims to Tirumala."

Naidu, who was quoted by Mint, shared that the plan doesn't just stop with renaming. The airport's look and feel will also be redesigned to echo the sacred and peaceful atmosphere of the Tirumala temple. From the architecture to the interior design, everything will carry spiritual symbolism. TTD has also committed to funding these aesthetic upgrades, making the airport a true gateway to devotion.

Not Just a Name Change It's Part of a Bigger Vision

This proposal is just one of many initiatives by the temple trust to extend its spiritual footprint across India. Some of the other ongoing efforts include:

A new temple in Bengaluru, as TTD is planning to build a Sri Venkateswara temple on 47 acres of land once they get approval from the Karnataka government.

Additionally, TTD has secured 100 electric buses to ensure greener travel between Tirupati and Tirumala with support from the Ministry of Heavy Industries.

Recently, a major controversy erupted in Andhra Pradesh over the iconic Tirupati laddu after a lab in Gujarat reportedly detected traces of animal fat in the ghee used to prepare it. In response, TTD announced that a new CSIR-certified laboratory will soon be established in Tirupati to test the quality of key ingredients like ghee and water used in prasadam, ensuring they meet strict purity standards.

Apart from that, TTD plans to modernise its Delhi-based Sri Venkateswara College and roll out initiatives like "Sadgamaya" and "Saubhagyam" that focus on spreading values, ethics, and devotion among youth and women.

What Happens Next?

The renaming proposal now waits for approval from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Airports Authority of India. While there's no official timeline yet, TTD's readiness to fund the airport's redesign shows that they're eager to get started as soon as they receive the green light. If approved, the Sri Venkateswara International Airport will not only serve as a transit point but also as a symbol of divine welcome for millions of pilgrims flying into the city every year.