Minister of Tourism and Youth Affairs Muttamsetti Srinivasa Rao has announced sanction of ₹2 crore for development of Pandrangi, the birthplace of revolutionary leader Alluri Sitarama Raju, as a tourist destination.
Participating in the 122nd birth anniversary of the revolutionary at Pandrangi on Thursday, Nandanavanam in Krishnadevipeta where his ‘samadhi’ was located would be developed with ₹.50 lakh.
After garlanding the statue of Alluri at Sitammadhara, he said in the reorganisation of districts, Visakhapatnam was proposed to be made into three districts and one of them would be named after Alluri. Elamanchili MLA U.V. Ramana Murthy Raju and North constituency leader K.K. Raju participated.
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Stating that the government sanctioned ₹10 lakh for celebrating his birth anniversary, the Minister asserted future generations needed to be told about his heroic struggle against colonial powers.
Temple tourism
The Minister assured that Ananta Padmanabha Swamy temple at Padmanabham, the Simhachalam temple would be taken up for development under temple tourism.
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The issue of ‘inam lands’ at Padmanabham, Krishnapuram and B. Tallavalasa would be resolved and pattas given to the poor.
Pointing out that water from the Gosthani river was flowing waste into the sea, he said two check-dams would be constructed to harness it.
A.P. Tourism Development Corporation Managing Director Pravin Kumar assured cooperation from the corporation for the efforts.
The Minister honoured the family members of Alluri and freedom fighter Dandupalli Gonvida Rao on the occassion.
He felicitated ZP Chairperson Lalam Bhavani whose term came to an end on Thursday.
District Collector V. Vinay Chand said works at Pandrangi and K.D. Peta would be taken up on an expeditious manner.
Mr. Ramana Murthy Raju and Tourism Regional Director Radhakrishna Murthy participated in the programme.