Srikakulam: Hilly lands in Ponnada to be developed as a tourist spot

Srikakulam: Hilly lands in Ponnada village near Srikakulam city will be developed as tourist spot. The State government has allotted 21 acres extent of hilly lands to the tourism department for the same.

Adjacent to it, 40 feet wide road also will be sanctioned on the banks of River Nagavali from hilly areas to Hayathinagaram. Adjacent to it, a water pond will also be developed by diverting water from Nagavali river to provide boating facility.

Joint Director for Tourism Department inspected the hilly area lands to prepare a feasibility report. From the beginning, a local NGO, 'Spandana' founder president Panchireddy Krishna Rao has been making representations to the government for the development of the hilly areas as tourism spot.

On March 23, 1999 when GSS Sivaji was Minister for Tourism in the TDP government, 'Spandana' founder president Panchireddy Krishna Rao made a representation for development of the hilly area as tourist spot.

Since 1999, the proposal has been in pending with the government. Now, the government is moving on the issue as part of land allotted to tourism department. Joint Director for Tourism department R Mallikharjuna Rao directed the officials to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) on the project.

"Exactly after 20 years, the government initiated steps on tourism project at Ponnada Hills as it is suitable location for tourism development," said 'Spandana' founder president Panchireddy Krishna Rao.