RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM

Minister for Tourism and Cinematography Kandula Durgesh on Sunday (January 26) announced that the Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned ₹177 crore under the Central scheme — Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) — to develop two iconic tourism projects Akhanda Godavari and Gandikota tourism circuit in Andhra Pradesh.

Speaking to newsmen at a press conference here, Mr. Durgesh has said that tenders would be invited within a week for the two projects to be executed under the Public Private People Partnership (PPPP) mode.  “An estimated ₹98 crore will be spent on the Akhanda Godavari project and ₹79 crore has been earmarked for the Gandikota tourism circuit,” Mr. Durgesh said.

Akhanda Godavari

“The glass sheet for walking on the Havelock bridge across river Godavari in Rajamahendravaram city, restaurants, tent city and boating covering all the ghats of river Godavari are the prime facilities to be developed,” the Minister said.

The Havelock bridge was commissioned in 1897, and was decommissioned after it served the Indian Railways for over a century. The Kadiyam flower nurseries would also be developed into tourism spots under the Akhanda Godavari project. “The Akhanda Godavari project will be commissioned before the commencement of the Godavari Pushkarams-2027,” he added.

Gandikota circuit

“More hospitality facilities will be provided apart from the beautification of the 12th-century Gandikota Fort and gorge near it in thee Y.S.R. Kadapa district under the Gandikota tourism circuit,” the Minister said.. A project has also been proposed to allow resorts in the Srisailam temple surroundings and encourage tourism in the Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR), he added.