As part of its comprehensive tourism development project, the district administration is planning to make the landmark Krishnapatnam port an integral part of the initiative. Accordingly, the Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd (KPCL) has offered to create facilities such as theme park and boating hub in the natural creek.
In order to avoid inconvenience to visiting ships, the KPCL authorities have also proposed to allot separate space for developing facilities for tourists at the port. Consequently, speed boating and water sports will be introduced.
‘Athidhya’Under a special programme called ‘Athidhya’, the KPCL will conduct bus service during weekends to transport tourists from Nellore town to the port. If the project proves a success, more facilities will be added.
District Collector N. Srikanth said the Krishnapatnam port, Ranganadhaswamy Temple, Rajarajeswari Temple, Nellore Tank and Bara Shahid Dargah have strong potential in the Nellore tourism circuit.
“Steps will be taken not only to improve tourism infrastructure but also to create employment for the local unemployed youth,” he added.
KPCL senior management representative Ghanta Venugopal said within two months a boating facility would be developed on the port premises without disturbing the port’s commercial shipping operations. He also suggested that a beach could also be developed on the eastern side of the port for tourists.
“As the KPCL has the necessary infrastructure to emerge as the largest port with 42 berths in future, the management is keen to spread awareness about its rich potential,” he said.
“Various types of tourism circuits will be developed. For example, the eco-tourism circuit will comprise the Pulicat lake and the Sriharikota space centre,” Joint Collector G. Rekharani said.
