Bhavani Islands to be the next recreation destination

As part of the Krishna Riverfront development project, the Bhavani Island Tourism Corporation (BITC) has embarked on beautification of the island resort. A sum of Rupees 1.5 crore has been earmarked for the ongoing works. The BITC has been using 125 acres of the island for recreation and other purposes.

The BITC Executive Director, G Umamaheswara Rao, who took charge recently, has some knowledge on riverfront development as he played a key role in making Punnami Ghat worth a visit. He took part in the development of the riverfront by holding Air Force Shows and Navy Shows, which attracted huge crowds. Pathways, gardening and landscape are the key areas worked on to make the ghat beautiful.

For water sports activity, 11 locations along the shore were given to private firms. Cleaning of the river is the only area where there is lot of work to be done. “Even though the riverfront looks clear in the morning, heaps of garbage appears on the shore by the evening,” said Rao.

Now, with the same spirit of developing the other side of the riverfront, he took up the facelift of Bhavani Island. Walking and cycling tracks are being developed on the island. A large chunk of the island area was leveled to take up other works. Selfie points were being developed giving visitors a picturesque backgrounds to click pictures.

He said that proposals have been sent to the government for taking up beautification works worth Rupees 11.25 crore. “If the funds are allocated, works will be completed in six months,” he said.

Among other things, the fish cages and garden fountains were being developed. Artists from West Bengal and other parts of India were assigned the task of stone artwork. The biggest plan of BITC is a musical fountain, which requires Rupees 36 crore. “Once built, the fountain will attract visitors from Punnami Ghat side as well,” he said.

By Noor Shaik