Berm Park-Bhavani Island ropeway final

Tourism Corporation officials determined to go ahead with the launch of the project by making suitable changes

A view of Bhavani Island from Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada. Photo: V. Raju

It is official now. The much-awaited aerial ropeway project proposed to be launched by Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) in the city is finally happening, albeit with yet another deviation from its last plan.

The Tourism Corporation had to alter its plan to launch a cable car project from Indrakeeladri hill to a place near Seetammavari Paadalu on the banks of River Krishna as the land belonged to the Irrigation Department and it refused to part with it.

Prolonged talks between the two departments at the State-level failed to break the ice, resulting in loss of valuable time and escalation of the project cost over the years.

Recognising the fact that the ambitious project, conceived over a decade ago, had to be shelved on various counts for this long a period, officials at the helm of the Tourism Corporation are now determined to go ahead with the launch by making suitable changes.

The cable car now will be launched between Haritha Berm Park and the Bhavani Island. Since both properties belong to the APTDC, the officials don’t foresee any more hurdles. The project is being taken up on a PPP (Private-Public Partnership) mode and many private cable car companies are ready to invest, according to the Tourism officials.

It is proposed to opt for a bi-cable system to avoid the task of raising a pillar in the middle of the river for a mono-cable system. “That will need a series of permissions from various departments,” Y. Satyanarayana, Escort Officer, Projects, APTDC, told

The Hindu on Tuesday. Realising that mere resorts and restaurants are not enough to attract tourist to a destination, the Tourism Corporation is keen on adding new features to the sprawling island perched in Krishna River.

Tenders for the project have been called and a pre-bid meeting is scheduled for February 10. A committee was constituted to conduct a feasibility study. The project will be given on lease for development for a span of 22 years and a construction period of 24 months, including all sorts of permissions, will be given to the developers,” said the Tourism Corporation’s Executive Director, Projects, V. Madhusudhan.

Once the project is realised, visitors to the picturesque island can cruise over sweeping views of the tranquil river and its serene surroundings, sitting in the gondolas.