Big plans to make Shilparamams draw visitors

• Tirupati and Vizag Shilparamams to go for major revamp
• The master plans with ethnic look get CM’s approval
• Vizag Shilparamam gets a 5-star hotel & amusement park
• An additional convention centre at Tirupati Shilapramam
• Amusement parks, water sports will become big attractions

Tirupati: Shilparamams in Tirupati and Visakhapatnam are all set to get a major facelift. The blueprint is ready to revamp the existing facilities besides creating new features in a bid to attract visitors. 

The government has sanctioned Rs 120 crore for the purpose for the Tirupati Shilparamam while Rs 100 crore has been allocated for the one in Visakhapatnam. 

The authorities have selected Kshetra Architects to design the master plan, which was accepted by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

In the first phase, both the Shilparamams in Tirupati and Visakhapatnam will be developed as per the masterplan. 

The CEO of AP Shilparamam, B Jayaraj, told The Hans India that the idea was to revamp the existing facilities by giving it an ethnic look with contemporary feel. 

“In Visakhapatnam, we are having the required land and will build an amusement park, 5-star hotel in the Shilparamam but in Tirupati we are looking for additional 10 acres of land which is adjacent to the existing 17.5 acres to provide amusement parks and other amenities,” he said.

He said that they are looking to develop the facilities similar to those available at Aksharadham in New Delhi by adding divinity flavour also.

 “We have called for tenders and will finalise the agency by September end to go ahead with the work. 

The Tirupati Shilparamam will have a landmark entrance with 90 to 100 ft structure with seven steps resembling the Seven Hills, but we will keep the existing ‘Dasavataras’ as it is,” he explained.

On Monday, the CEO along with District Collector PS Pradyumna, project management consultants and two architects made a field visit to the site in Tirupati and discussed about the master plan. 

In the new master plan, it was proposed to revamp the Shilparamam under different zones in which three zones are already created and they will be upgraded, said Administrative Officer of Tirupati Shilparamam K Khadarvalli. 

The first zone will have craft village in which handicraft stalls, exhibition grounds, water fountain, greenery and amphitheatre. 

There are 40 stalls now and another 40 stalls will come up to help more artisans to display their products. 

The present amphitheatre will see significant changes and even the seating will be completely changed to a modern one. 

In the second zone, the function hall will be further improved by adding modern features and additionally one eco-friendly convention hall with ethnic look will come up. 

This will be most useful for conducting various small meetings, literary programmes and other events. Zone three will have children play area which includes water-based entertainment.

The development of Zone IV will be taken up in the new 10 acres land which they proposed to take from the government. 

It was proposed to make it a big attraction with amusement park, water-based activities, Bonsai garden and flower gardens, explained Khadarvalli. Other zones will also be developed in due course and it will get 80 per cent more greenery.

“The CM’s idea is to upgrade the facility on the lines of Hyderabad Shilparamam which was his brainchild. 

The city is known for its temple tourism. Now, additional focus will be laid on entertainment activities so that all visiting pilgrims would visit the facility in their leisure time which will create market for artisans,” he claimed. 

The famous art forms in the district like Srikalahasti Kalamkari, Madhavamala wood-carving and Madanapalle terracotta will find a place in the renovation works.