In a significant move, the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet has approved the relocation of the controversial Mumtaz Hotel project by the Oberoi Group from the sacred land of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) to an alternative location in Tirupati rural. This decision comes after prolonged protests from devotees, religious leaders, and locals who raised concerns about the potential impact on the sanctity of the Tirumala hills.
Initially allotted 20 acres of land within the TTD premises under the previous YSRCP government’s tourism policy in 2021, the Oberoi Group will now receive 38 acres of land in Peruru village, Tirupati rural mandal. The relocation was prompted by mounting opposition due to the hotel's proximity to the sacred Alipiri Srivari Padalu area, where devotees often begin their pilgrimage to Tirumala.
The decision was finalized following a meeting in which the Cabinet approved the cancellation of the original land allotment and authorized the execution of a formal land exchange deed. The 38 acres in Peruru had originally been allotted to Vaishnavi Infra Ventures & Resorts Limited in 2012 for a “Temples of India” theme park, with 30.32 acres handed over. In 2021, 20 acres of that land was earmarked for the Oberoi project.
In response to growing objections over the hotel’s location, including a hunger strike led by sadhus and temple priests in February 2025, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu took decisive action, announcing the cancellation of all tenders related to the Mumtaz Hotel and making it clear that no TTD land would be privatized.
Naidu also expressed his dissatisfaction with the previous administration’s approach, saying, You’ve seen the last government, when they gave permission for the construction of Mumtaz hotels, Devalok project etc. They changed the name, but we told them we can’t give permission for the same.
While the Oberoi Group had proposed offering only vegetarian food at the resort to maintain the spiritual integrity of the region, Naidu remained firm on his stance. No private entities will be allowed in this sacred place, he reiterated. However, the government has assured the Oberoi Group that they will assist in relocating the hotel to the newly allotted land in Tirupati rural.
