Visakha Utsav takes off with heli-tourism, kite flying

Visakhapatnam: The traditional, classical and western cultural programmes, food courts, amusements and illuminated decorations set up at all the major junctions in the city enthralled the audience on the second day of Visakha Utsav. 

Thousands of visitors and tourists rushed to the main venues on the beachfront in the city on Saturday. Many civic bodies including some noted restaurants also opened food courts introducing mouth-watering snacks and other food items. 

Meanwhile, the VMRDA launched the heli-tourism and also conducted the kite-festival as a second-day of attraction. Inaugurating the heli-tourism, Police Commissioner Mahesh Chandra Laddah, Commissioner of VMRDA Basanth Kumar and Joint Collector G Srujana expressed their happiness over the facility to the tourists. 

“The Bay of Bengal, Thick Green Hillocks, Beautiful City and various other tourism attractions, witnessing from the air, is a good memorable experience,” Commissioner of Police said. He traveled along with his parents after inaugurating the heli-tourism.

Joint Collector G Srujana said that viewing the beautiful tourist attractions with nature blessed ones as a package will be a good opportunity for tourists.

Commissioner of VMRDA Basanth Kumar said if the tourism department is ready, the heli-tourism would be extended to Araku Valley. At present, the chopper service would be run till January 16 at Rs 2,400 per head for a 10-minute joy ride, he said. 

While inaugurating the event, Commissioner of Police Mahesh Chandra Laddah said that some events would attract all ages of people and flying of kites was also one of those events. 

The temple replicas of the noted temples including Srivarahalakshmi Nrusimha Swamy and Annavaram Satyanarayana Swamy also received a big response from the devotees.