Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu adopting Araku to develop it into a smart village is expected to give a big boost to the famous tourist place in the Visakha Agency.
Though there is some tourism infrastructure existing at Araku Valley, to which the tourists flock round the year, the adjacent Araku village needs support from the Government in facilities that should be provided under the Smart Village concept, like livelihood opportunities, sanitation, drinking water, health, power supply, greenery, waste management, internet and telecom connectivity.
Araku area might be a major tourist venue but a lot of development is needed on several fronts and CM’s choice should give it a big boost. Minister for Panchayati Raj, RWS and NREGS Ch. Ayyanna Patrudu was happy that the Chief Minister had adopted Araku. The area which was badly affected by Hudhud cyclone would receive a lot of benefit and also Girijans would receive better services and their employment opportunities would get a boost, Mr. Patrudu said.
The district administration had not received any specific instructions after Mr. Chandrababu Naidu logged in to the website after it was launched and chose Araku, Collector N. Yuvaraj said on Monday. Tourism front would get priority, he expected.
The district administration was conducting a workshop this week on Smart Villages during which the PSUs, NGOs, NRIs and other institutions and individuals would be asked to adopt villages, Mr. Yuvaraj said.
