Visakhapatnam: The Andhra Pradesh government would be focusing on six marquee tourism projects which offered tremendous growth and potential for investments. A special tourism zone at Madhurawada and the decommissioned Naval Warship Virat-aircraft carrier museum in Vizag, Havelock Bridge in Rajahmundry, Bhavani Island in the middle of the Krishna river in Vijayawada, Kakinada Hope Island under Swadesh Darshan scheme in East Godavari district and Gandikota Fort in Anan-tapur district were the major projects in spotlight.
Chairing a panel discussion on tourism on the opening day of the three-day CII Partnership Summit here on Saturday, Tourism secretary Mukesh Kumar Meena said the six major projects would be developed with private participation. While 700 acres of Bhawani Island would be converted into a world-class tourist destination, Havelock Bridge and Gandikota would be made into recreation and adventure and heritage zones, respectively. Also, Virat would boast of a five-star hotel, gaming zone and maritime museum memorabilia, he added.
Minister for Tourism Bhuma Akhila Priya said 250 acres had been identified at Madhurawada in Vizag city to build multiple facilities such as an amusement park, oceanarium and others. The detailed project report for refurbishing Virat would be readied and submitted to the Union government. According to the Navy, the ship could not be dragged onto land and had to be kept afloat. At least Rs 700 crore - Rs 800 crore would be required to convert the aircraft carrier into a floating attraction in Vizag.
Though the AP government had sought Central support for the project, the ministries of Tourism and Defence expressed their unwillingness to fund the tourism project. “Now we are chalking out plans whether to raise the funds on our own or to take up the major project under the public and private partnership mode,” said sources in the tourism department.
