Fun-loving children, who can’t wait to chill out in the series of exotic and adventure games introduced on Bhavani Island on the river Krishna, eagerly look forward to the swearing-in ceremony of Chief Minister-designate N. Chandrababu Naidu.
Yes, there is a connection between the two. Children who throng the picturesque island with the fond hope of freaking out in the adventure zone that promises loads of fun, especially after installation of a number of fun games like ‘Jungle Gym’, wall-climbing and most importantly, the water-roller that allows fun-lovers to walk, float and roll on water in a 12-feet-long cylindrical PVC structure, are crest-fallen when they are asked to wait for some more days.
A number of adventure games were introduced in the island to add to the fun element for the younger lot. But elections, followed by the bifurcation, marred the smooth sail. The local AP Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) authorities are now waiting for the green signal from the government (which does not exist) to bring the new equipment into use.
“The fun-starved kids in this region have never had their share of entertainment. The island somehow has never delivered the promised fun and frolic. It has always disappointed visitors in some way or the other. It took years for the APTDC authorities to wake up to the tourism potential of this place and bring in games that could attract large crowds. When it was done finally, the elections and bifurcation played spoilsport,” rues Soumya, a young mother. “Driven by the exciting idea of riding a water-roller sporting a life jacket, I visited the island only to be told that the new sports have not yet been made operational,” says a disappointed Chanakya.
Besides taking up repairs to the damaged play equipment like Burma Bridge and other adventure sports, completion of the long-awaited amphitheatre and renovation of the restaurant and tree-top cottages, the Tourism Corporation authorities have introduced high rope activities, a climbing wall, a Tarzan swing and much more. Funds to the tune of Rs. 1 crore have been spent to spruce up the island but it will take some time before young fun-lovers can actually reap the benefits.
