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Andhra Pradesh to promote tourist amenities in big way, nod for cruise to Papikondalu

The green signal comes after a gap of two years after a boat mishap and the eruption of Coronavirus pandemic

Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh government that aims to promote tourism in a big way is relaunching the Godavari river cruise service from Pochavaram to popular tourist destination of Papikondalu from Dec. 18. This is in addition to developing amenities at several tourism-potential areas in the state.

After a gap of two years after a boat mishap and the eruption of Coronavirus pandemic, the state Tourism Development Corporation gave green signal on Thursday for operation of tourists boats in this sector on Godavari river with a fleet of 10 private boats.

This will mainly benefit of tourists from Hyderabad/Telangana as a large number of tourists from there arrive at Bhadrachalam for darshan at Sita Ramachandraswamy temple and sail along the Godavari to reach upto Papikondalu.

Private boats carrying tourists start at 9.30 am from Pochavaram and head for Perantalapalli and then to Papikondalu and return to Pochavaram by 5 pm. An adult will be charged Rs1,000 while children above two years will be charged Rs 900. Boat operators serve them breakfast, lunch and snacks.

The state government permitted the operation of tourist boats on Godavari river in strict compliance with all safety norms last month.

APTDC authorities said local public representatives will launch the tourist boat operations on Saturday.

APTDC is expediting works to create amenities at several tourist places in the state in the hope there will be significant footfalls during the festive season. It is developing a ropeway at Gandikota, an APTDC restaurant at Lambasingi, a floating restaurant on Krishna river in Vijayawada, a floating restaurant by converting MV MAA cargo ship in Visakhapatnam, cottages at Araku Valley and Lambasingi and several amenities at Dindi resorts in East Godavari, Bhavani Island in Vijayawada and at Horsley Hills in Chittoor district.

Tourist resorts will be developed by the corporation at Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple at Penukonda under a public-private partnership with the involvement of ISKCON at a cost of Rs 100 crore.

APTDC managing director Satyanarayana said, “We will promote tourism in a big way and in strict compliance with Covid appropriate behaviour.”

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