The Hindu : Rock garden to come up in Kurnool district

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 25, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

Rock garden to come up in Kurnool district

By Our Staff Reporter

KURNOOL April 24. The Minister for Tourism and Culture, T. Srinivas Yadav, on Thursday said that Kurnool district has great tourist potential with many temples and eco-tourist spots.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr. Yadav said with Kurnool as transit point, the Tourist Department identified Srisailam, Mantralayam, Belum caves, Mahanandi, Ahobilam, Alampur, Gadwal, Nagarjuna Sagar and Rollapadu bird sanctuary as important tourist centres. Temples in Kurnool district had clientele in the neighbouring states.

He said the Tourism Department put up guesthouses at Kurnool and Mantralayam and was planning to build one at Mahanandi. Out of Rs. 80 lakhs invested on Belum caves, the department earned Rs. 50 lakhs so far, the Minister said adding that the caves had great potential. The corporation planned to create full-fledged infrastructure at the caves. Of the total length of 3.2 km, the cave was opened to tourists up to 2 km. Lighting was arranged and pathways were built. Package tours were planned for schoolchildren at 50 per cent concession.

Mr. Yadav said considering the employment potential in tourism industry, the Government spent an amount of Rs. 1600 crores on 160 projects across the state. The construction of a ropeway at a cost of Rs. 98 crores connecting Tirupathi-Tirumala was underway.

The Minister said efforts were on to set up a rock garden at Orvakal in Kurnool district in an area of five acres.

The corporation was planning to acquire 225 acres at the place.

Besides the tourist spots, the department was planning to preserve the historical monuments in the State.

On the political situation, Mr. Yadav accused the CLP leader, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, of politicising the padayatra by announcing the populist schemes like free power, pending projects and separate statehood for Telengana.

He said it was a great insult to the Father of the Nation if the CLP leader compared himself to Mahatma.

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Rock garden to come up in Kurnool district