With a view to giving a boost to tourism, the Chittoor district administration has proposed a 2-km ropeway to Horsely Hills near Madanapalle. It expects an initial outlay Rs. 10 crore for the project.
Speaking to reporters after visiting Horsely Hills, AP Tourism Divisional Manager Mr. R.V. Suresh Kumar Reddy said the construction of the ropeway would substantially enhance tourist footfalls at the picturesque hill station. He added that at present tourists were using the ghat road to reach the hills, taking more than two hours. “We have proposed cable-cars for the ropeway transport on the lines of the Srisailam project. We have also submitted a proposal seeking one acre atop the hill and foothills. No doubt, the ropeway is a big attraction with tourists,” he said.
According to Mr. Reddy, the guest houses at Horsely Hills can accommodate around 150 tourists and added that more facilities are required, considering the weekend rush that crosses 5,000. “We also have plans to address this important requirement [better facilities],” he said.
The official said the ropeway proposal at Puligundu hillock, 20 km from Chittoor, was also under the government’s consideration. Puligundu is considered a geological wonder, with two gigantic rock formations close together at a height of over 1,000 feet. The Shiva temple atop the hill attracts large number of devotees and tourists.
Its difficult terrain makes it tough for children and aged to scale the gradient.
The government has sanctioned Rs. 3.5 crore for upgrading the existing Haritha Resorts with additional facilities at Kuppam, the tri-state junction between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
“Horticulture awaits a big boom in Kuppam area, with a number of traders coming in from various places, apart from the increase in the number of entrepreneurs. Kuppam’s cool climate is also an asset for the tourism sector,” Mr Reddy said.
