Pichuka Lanka set to wow tourists

Rajamahendravaram: Identifying the tourism sector as an engine of development and a catalyst to economic prosperity, the State government is doing all it can to attract investors. The government’s efforts seem to be yielding the desired result with investors pouring money into the tourism projects. Thanks to a pro-active government at the Centre and in the State, apart from the inflow of funds, there was a quantum jump in projects and qualitative jump in tourist arrivals.

Tourism promotion in the district in general and Rajamahendravaram in particular will get a big boost with the AP Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) as part of Akhanda Godavari project will be developing Pichuka Lanka, an island near Rajamahendravaram spread over in 50 acres. Development works are in full swing in the island and tenders will be called soon to develop the island into a major tourist destination.

An action plan is being prepared to construct an amusement park with international standards with an outlay of Rs 50 crore. The private investors are keen to construct water sports complex including jetty, boating, house boats and a lounge at a cost of Rs 20 crore and a resort on river front with 50 rooms and a convention hall both at a cost of Rs 80 crore. An iconic structure has been also planned to attract tourists to the island. Beautification of Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage will add to the beauty of the island.

Tourism in Kakinada too is all set to get a boost like never-before, with a whopping Rs 100 crore of assistance pouring in from the Central government under Swadesh Darshan scheme. The Centre had sanctioned Rs 69 crore in the first phase. About Rs 10 crore has been earmarked for the development of Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary and Hope Island. In Kakinada, 50 acres of land on beach front is being developed at a cost of Rs 30 crore. The Tourism department is planning to construct aqua marine complex on beach front with an outlay of Rs 30 crore.

The Tourism department is developing the land on the beach front to woo investors to construct an IMAX theatre, a Mega Convention Centre, a star hotel and an amusement park under PPP mode at a cost of Rs 250 crore. To encourage heli tourism, the Tourism department is set to introduce sea planes in Kakinada. Site for setting up sea plane jetty has been identified in Kakinada and design work is underway. Sky Choppers Logistic Private Limited came forward to operate sea planes from Kakinada to Vizag.

“Investments to the tune of Rs 1,000 crore have been committed,” regional director of Tourism, East and West Godavari districts, Bhimasankar Rao told The Hans India. He informed that tourism projects are being planned on land sharing and revenue sharing basis with the objective of improving revenue and creating employment. He hoped that direct employment to 500 persons and indirect employment to 1,000 persons would be provided through Akhanda Godavari project.

He further said that a boat ride is being planned to Kadiyam nurseries from Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage. He mentioned that pre-fabricate cottages amidst nurseries and view towers have also been planned. Speaking about Papikondalu, Devipatnam and Perantala Palli, which are blessed with scenic splendour, Bhimasankara Rao said that boating, parking place, a terminal, a waiting lounge, a kiosk, a public address system, a kitchen and ramps would be set up in these places. He said that the State government plans to strengthen the tourism infrastructure by adding water sports, heli tours and houseboats at a number of tourist destinations.

He said that tourists will enjoy boat rides while visiting ancient Buddhist monuments at Adurru in Pasarlapudi. He further said that a park and a resort would be developed with an outlay of Rs 10 crore in Kotipalli under PPP mode. He informed that Danavaipeta beach which is eight km away from Annavaram would be developed into a tourist destination with three star cottage at a cost of Rs 8 crore.

By Samson Raj