AP State to develop Kondapalli as tourist hub

Vijayawada: Water Resources Minister Devineni Uma Maheswara Rao said that Kondapalli Fort celebrations will help to make it a popular tourist centre in the district. 

The Minister along with the district collector B Lakshmikantham inaugurated the two-day Kondapalli Fort celebrations in Kondapalli on Sunday. 
The Andhra Pradesh tourism department along with the district administration is conducting trekking, adventurous sports, camel ride, horse ride, helicopter ride and other events on the occasion. 

An exhibition of Kondapalli toys and handlooms was arranged at Pavitra Sangamam, the confluence of Krishna and Godavari rivers. A giant wheel and other play toys were arranged for recreation of visitors at Pavitra Sangamam. 

Helicopter ride is the highlight of the event. Thumby Aviations, Bengaluru, has arranged a helicopter and been collecting Rs 2,100 for each ticket. 
The eight-minute helicopter ride is a memorable event for the visitors, who can see the Kondapalli fort from the sky.

Thumby Aviations Business Development Director Govind Nair told The Hans India that six persons can board for each trip. He said the helicopter was arranged in co-ordination with AP Tourism.

On the first day Sunday, several hundred people visited Pavitra Sangamam and Kondapalli Fort. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu will visit the Kondapalli Fort on Monday to view the historical fort, which has a history of over 1000 years. Collector B Lakshmikantham inspected the arrangements at the fort on Sunday. 

Security will be beefed up near the Fort and routes leading to the fort in Kondapalli. The Krishna district administration is trying to develop Kondapalli Fort and Pavitra Sangamam as tourist places and conducting programmes in recent years.