Tourists, holiday-makers and picnickers have not had much reason to smile in this region thanks to the brazen disregard the tourist destinations have suffered for years.
Post-bifurcation, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu did what was a long-pending act — shining the spotlight on tourism sector by recognising it as a growth engine. As part of his endeavour to build a ‘world class’ capital of the truncated State, he made a slew of announcements, which if implemented earnestly, could transform Andhra Pradesh into a tourist’s paradise.
Among the several mega projects that have been waiting endlessly for a facelift, the historic Kondapalli fort, also known as Kondapalli kota and located in the hills of Eastern Ghats, close to Vijayawada city, has always beckoned picnickers and history buffs alike.
Located to the west of Vijayawada city, the Kondapalli fort extends between Nandigama and Viajaywada. The proposed beautification of this dilapidated fort by the Department of Archaeology has been kept in abeyance for years. Even as the department confined its role to empty promises, the Central Government integrated the project in its proposed mega tourism circuit plan.
Beautification of the fort is now a part of the Kondapalli-Ibrahimpatnam-Bhavani Island, Machilipatnam- Diviseema Mega Circuit estimated to cost Rs. 49.99 crore.
Besides the fort, the project envisages development of Ibrahimpatnam Ferry, Kondapalli toys, Bhavani Island, Manginapudi beach, Hamsaladeevi and temples at Srikakulam, Pedakallepally and Mopidevi among other places.
While the project figures in the Tourism Department’s ‘prioritised for 2014-15’ list, sources indicate that there are hurdles which many not allow early implementation.
The area of land where the majestic fort stands belongs to the Department of Archaeology while the vast stretch of land surrounding the fort which will have to be brought to use to create other features, is a reserve forest area. Allocation of a reserve forest area to the Tourism Department for developing the place is a long-drawn process, according to an official of Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC).
The beautification of the fort will be taken up by the Department of Archaeology while the APTDC will provide the logistics support by setting up food courts, gazebos and other public amenities like toilets.
Ever since the Chief Minister declared that the tourist destinations in this region will get the attention they deserve, officials of the aligned departments have been making frequent claims of changing the face of Andhra Pradesh by implementing impressive projects across the region but nobody seems to have clarity on how much more time it may take for the promises to become reality.
