Developing new tourism products to world standard, the state of Andhra Pradesh has a proposal of 16 new projects in various parts of the State. Under the ministery of Muttamsetti Srinivasa Rao the Tourism officials have to prepare comprehensive Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) to ascertain the projects, whether can be taken up with Central Financial Assistance of the Ministry of Tourism or with the funds from the State Budget, or through public-private participation.
On Friday, the Tourism Minister executed a review meeting with his officials and held a detailed discussion about the ongoing activities of various projects and possibilities for undertaking new ones.
The proposed tourism projects are – tourist premises at Ramatheertham, resorts at Thatipudi reservoir in Vizianagaram district, an Integrated Tourism project at Madhurawada, beach resorts at Rushikonda, a Simhachalam-Padmanabham– Appikonda Shivalayam- Panchadarla Shivalayam tourist circuit in Visakhapatnam district, a budget hotel at the APTDC office in Rajamahendravaram, a convention centre in Eluru, and an integrated tourism project at Nagulavaram in Guntur district.
Added to this, an eco-tourism resort at Kailasanathakona waterfalls in Chittoor district, a resort and water sports activities at Kandaleru reservoir in Nellore district, a temple tourism project at Vedagiri, and a hotel at Kanipakam, were also among the proposed projects.
The department also proposed a few other projects in Rayalaseema region, including an eco-tourism project at B. Matham, integrated tourism project at Gandikota in Kadapa district, adventure tourism at Valmiki caves, Pyapili, and tourist amenities at Shivalayam at Devaragattu in Kurnool district.
Apart from all these the state has some completed projects like a container restaurant at Erramatti Dibbalu, Nerellavalasa, Visakhapatnam, Drive Inn restaurant at Haritha Resorts at Araku, convention centre at Rajahmundry, and a few others have been waiting for their opening game. According to the tourism officials two projects in West Godavari have been finalised and the foundation stone will be laid soon.
In the current scenario, for a country like India such useful steps should be welcomed because almost 74% of
its population resides in non-urban areas. Promoting tourism in such suburbans will lead to increasing levels of awareness, growing interest in heritage and
culture and improved accessibility, and environmental consciousness.
