For the first time, the State government is holding an Aero Sports Festival at Sithampet NTR Adventure Park from January 13.
The district administration is giving utmost priority to the three-day event which has already caught the attention of many adventure lovers.
People from different parts of North Andhra and Odisha are likely to throng the venue to witness events like paramotoring, powered hang glider, hot air balloon, para sailing and remote control flying.
District Collector K. Dhananjaya Reddy and Sithampet ITDA Project Officer Toleti Shiva Sankar, who reviewed the arrangements on Saturday, said that well-trained pilots from different parts of the country have already reached Sithampet.
“Para motoring, remote control flying and other events will be conducted both in the morning and evening. We anticipate a huge response for other aerosports also,” said Mr. Shiva Sankar.
“The adventure park is jam-packed during the holidays and weekends. Such festivals will attract more tourists,” he added.
The government is spending around ₹80 lakh on the prestigious event.
Minister for Transport K. Atchannaidu will be formally inaugurating the festival on Sunday morning. With wide publicity being given for it, many tourists have booked their slots to participate in the festival, officials informed.
“Earlier, there were no such events during the festival. Now, with the adventure park, there is a lot in store for fun during vacations. This festival is sure to provide us entertainment. Generally, these festivals are conducted in big cities. Fortunately, it is being conducted in Srikakulam district this time,” said P. Srilekha and K. Sravya, software engineers from Hyderabad.
Tourism promotion
District Tourism Officer D. Narayana Rao hoped that the festival would promote tourism in the tribal areas of Srikakulam district.
“Several other tourism projects are under the consideration of the government,” he said.
