Ibrahimpatnam to be tourism hub

Vijayawada: Ibrahimpatnam and Kanchikacharla mandals, which are located on the banks of Krishna river along the Vijayawada-Hyderabad nation highway, would be developed as major tourist destinations in Amaravati capital region.

Highlights:

• Iconic bridge to be constructed at a cost of Rs 800 crore
• Reservoir to be built on Krishna river to supply water to capital Amaravati and promote water sports
• International Cricket Stadium already built at Mulapadu
• Pavitra Sangamam already attracting many tourists
• Kondapalli Fort to be developed to attract more tourists

The state government has decided to invest several hundred crores for the construction of an iconic bridge connecting Krishna and Guntur districts and the construction of water reservoir to supply drinking water to the new capital Amaravati in future. These two projects are very important as they would boost tourism and employment in future.

The government is planning to invest several hundred crores to promote water sports and river-based tourism along Krishna river in these mandals, along with Vijayawada, which has developed ghats along the Krishna river for hosting Krishna Pushkaralu last year investing over Rs 300 crore.

Ibrahimpatnam mandal is located 20 km from Vijayawada and has already made a remarkable impression as Pavitra Sangamam where waters of Godavari and Krishna rivers meet. Godavari waters are diverted via Pattiseema lift irrigation project to Krishna river which reach Ibrahimpatnam via Polavaram canal and Budameru channel.

Pavitra Sangamam has been developed as the tourist spot during the Krishna Pushkaralu. Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu visited Pavitra Sangamam several times to offer aarti. Besides, National Women Parliament was also successfully conducted at Pavitra Sangamam last year. The state government had decided to construct the iconic bridge connecting Krishna and Guntur districts at a cost of Rs.800 crore on Krishna river in Ibrahimpatnam.

Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu had impressed with the designs presented by the experts for the construction of the bridge at a cost of Rs 800 crore. The government is planning to promote tourism after the construction of the bridge.

The state government has decided to construct the water reservoir in Ibrahimpatnam-Kanchikacharla mandal border at Damurulu village. Road-over-bridge would be constructed on the reservoir connecting Damuluru village of Krishna district and Vykunthapuram village of Guntur district.

The reservoir would be constructed to supply drinking water to the capital Amaravati in future. There is no reservoir or dam between Pulichintala near Jaggaiahpet and the Prakasam Barrage on Krishna river. Keeping in view of the needs of capital Amaravati, the government had decided to construct a reservoir upstream of Prakasam Barrage near Damuluru.

Minister for Water Resources Devineni Umamaheswara Rao said Hyderabad-based agency had conducted a survey for the construction of reservoir and suggested for the construction of reservoir near Damuluru connecting Vykunthapuram of Guntur district. He said the water sports would be developed in Ibrahimpatnam with the construction of reservoir to store at least 5 tmc feet of water. Recently, the state government had decided to develop the Kondapalli Fort at a cost of Rs 4 crore.

Kondapalli Fort is the only big fort located near the capital city of Amaravati and it is known for its scenic beauty.Kondapalli toys made in Ibrahimpatnam mandal are well known around the world for beauty and uniqueness. The International Cricket Stadium was also constructed at Mulapadu village in Ibrahimpatnam to host International Cricket matches.

West Indies women cricket team had already played some matches at the Mulapadu Cricket Stadium and it would be developed further to host cricket matches.

By Md Ameen