Tourism corridor will be developed at eight places on the stretch between Ramakrishna Beach and Bheemunipatnam at a cost of Rs.300 crore, according to District Collector Lav Agarwal.
Speaking at a review meeting on tourism held along with Managing Director of AP Tourism Development Corporation Sandeep Kumar Sultania and other officials here on Tuesday, he said there was tremendous potential to develop tourism in Visakhapatnam. He called for finalising the District Project Report (DPR) in three months for improving the facilities at RK Beach, Kailasagiri, VUDA Park, Rushikonda, Bavikonda, Thotlakonda, Erramatti Dibbalu and Bhilimi Beach, a theme park at Thotlakonda, adventure sports at Rushikonda and development of basic facilities and select agencies for construction activities. With the Visakhapatnam airport finding place on the international map, there was need to provide proper facilities for tourists, he felt.
There were plans to set up a modern hotel, a convention centre and shopping complex at the airport with the help of Central government and APTDC, Mr. Agarwal revealed. He also wanted to chalk out plans for creating basic facilities and landscaping at a cost of Rs.1 crore at Kailasagiri and zoo park. Long-term plans for developing Visakhapatnam into a beautiful tourist centre with aquarium, butterfly park, and other tourist attractions would be drawn with the help of some good consultancy, he added.
Mr. Sultania said that the projects would be finalised shortly and construction would begin. There was some delay in executing the projects since Central Government guidelines had to be adhered to, he stated. Tourism wing of Central Government and the State government were coming forward to allocate funds and Visakhapatnam was also an ideal place for investments, he added. VUDA Vice-Chairman Kona Sasihdar, District Revenue Officer MD Shrif, VUDA forest officer B.V. Krishnamurthy, DFO Sivani Dogra, Zoo Curator Ramalingam and others were present.
