Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department is likely to open its budget hotel for commercial operations very soon as the works of the prestigious project are nearing completion. The department planned to open it before January 26 on the occasion of Ratha Saptami when thousands of devotees will visit Srikakulam to have darsan of Lord Sri Suryanarayana Swamy in Arasavilli temple.
The budget hotel which was taken up near Indira Vignan Bhavan will have 22 rooms, one dormitory, banquet hall and restaurant. The department is going to promote nearby tourist spots Kalingapatnam, Srikurmam, Srimukhalingam, Salihundam, Ravivalasa and other places. Many tourists can stay at the hotel and complete the visits in other tourist spots.
Srikakulam District Tourism Officer N.Narayana Rao told The Hindu that the hotel would sure to attract more number of tourists since it would offer star hotel facilities at affordable rates.
In the absence of a proper accommodation around Arasavilli temple, pilgrims faced hardships all these days. Besides taking care of their accommodation, the hotel is also expected to boost tourism in the district with the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) gearing up to operate buses from the place. Former Chief Minister K. Rosaiah took the initiative for construction of a budget hotel and a Kalyana Mandapam in Srikakulam district.
The Endowments Department allocated 1.48 acres of land for construction of the hotel and 1.2 acres for the Kalyana Mandapam. However, the proposal for the construction of Kalyana Mandapam was shelved as local leaders strongly opposed the demolition of existing TTD Kalyana Mandapam located near Gandhi Park. The government has earlier suggested mobilising funds with the sale of existing building and using the amount for the construction of new one with state of art technology.
According to the proposal, The TTD Kalyana Mandapam will have to be handed over to the Arasavilli temple authorities for maintenance as it allocated land for its construction.
According to initial estimations, the Kalyana Mandapam is to come up at a cost of Rs. 5 crore. The new TDP government may take a decision along with the TTD very soon over the construction of Kalyana Mandapam which can cater to the needs of all sections apart from helping the town as a cultural centre.
The Tourism Department is planning to open the hotel before January 26 on the occasion of Ratha Sapatami when thousands of devotees will visit Srikakulam to have darsan of Lord Sri Suryanarayana Swamy in Arasavilli temple
