Just when it was thought that the tourism sector will finally take off to a new high with both the State and the Central governments recognising the need to explore the vast potential of this region, the ‘twin demons’ of bifurcation and elections played spoilsports.
None of the major projects announced by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation in this region has had a smooth ride as far as their implementation is concerned.
The corporation’s ambitious ropeway project, which was thought to have cleared all hurdles, has yet again slipped into oblivion. This is because the district administration has been asked to focus on division of the tourism assets.
According to the latest plan, the cable car was to be introduced between Haritha Berm Park and Bhavani Island, both APTDC properties.
But bifurcation has put a halt to execution of the plan. “No development works could be taken up due to the election code. Moreover, we have been asked to look into division of tourism assets. This also means a status quo on all projects,” Vijayawada Sub-Collector D. Harichandana told The Hindu .
Conceived over a decade ago with an objective to blend faith and amusement by introducing a ropeway from Kanaka Durga temple atop Indrakeeladri hill to Seetammavari Paadalu on the banks of River Krishna, the Tourism officials had been trying in vain to thrash out a solution to the string of hurdles that impeded execution of this project. A similar fate awaits Gandhi Hill, yet another project which is on the Tourism Corporation’s priority list.
The Bhavani Island, dubbed as a ‘prized possession’ of the APTDC, also had several hiccups in terms of development. Funds have been granted for the purpose but the election code has put a spoke in the implementation plans.
