KAKINADA: Andhra Pradesh Tourism officials are making efforts to launch Shilparamam work and sculpture parks soon. The state government has sanctioned Rs. 2.10 crore for the projects while the district administration has allotted 14.82 acres of land at Thammavaram village near Kakinada beach for setting up of three projects -- Shilparamam, sculpture park and eco-park.
According to sources, the eco-park work may be delayed for technical reasons, but, tenders will be called for Shilparamam project.
The sculpture park has been established at Kakinada beach under Vakalapudi Panchayat and 25 sculptures have been installed there for the Kakinada beach festival at a cost of Rs.10 crore. But, the Kakinada Deep Water Port authorities have claimed the land where the sculpture park has been set up. They said that oil exploration companies have laid underground pipelines on the land. The state government had cancelled the land for the sculpture project. The district administration has now allotted the land at Thammavaram.
“Land alienation has been completed and it has been sent to the government,” said Kakinada Rural mandal revenue officer Simhadri.
He said that there was no land problem for the project. Shilparamam Arts and Crafts venture is a tribute to the cultural legacy of India and is aimed at promoting, restoring and help promote handlooms and handicrafts particularly those from Andhra Pradesh.
“Urban-huts will be set up as stalls for various handlooms and handicrafts professionals, recognised by the government. Initially, 20 to 25 artisans would be selected to get the stalls, the number will be increased later depending on the number of artisans,” said a tourism official.
He said that cultural programmes would be held every weekend and special programmes on festivals like Sankranthi, Dasara etc. He said that the Shilparamam project at Kakinada would be an unique venture and the rural museum to display handmade sculptures and life size models and interesting lifestyle of rural artisans for the benefit of tourists.
He said that the sculpture park at Kakinada beach will be shifted to the new venue after completing the Shilparamam project.
