Bangalore: Karnataka Chief Minister, S M Krishna on July 15 said that the government was initiating steps to ensure proper maintenance of the pilgrims choultry belonging to the state at Tirupathi and provide basic amenities to pilgrims.

Krishna said that he has directed the chief secretary, Dr A Ravindra "to clean up the whole mess and ensure upkeep of the choultry", while replying to N Samapangi (Ind) and others during Question Hour in the state Assembly.

He said that has also directed Ravindra to evict those who have been staying in rooms of the choultry for the last 20 years.

Krishna said that certain dispute that had cropped up between the state and Andhra Pradesh over utilisation of land for construction of a new block for pilgrims has been solved and the project would take off soon.

Andhra Pradesh had objected to the Karnataka's plan to construct a new building to accommodate pilgrims visiting the shrine from the state, as the existing one was inadequate.

The Chief Minister had to face a spate of questions on poor maintenance and lack of facilities in the choultry.

PTI