Visakhapatnam: The AP tourism department will promote Vizag as the city of hills and beaches to attract the tourists from various parts of the country and abroad.
The newly developed Thotlakonda beach in Vizag city will be open for general public soon and three more beaches in the city will be ready by March. The tourism department has identified four beaches - Sagarnagar, Yendada, Thotlakonda and Mangamaripeta in the city for development and they have given top priority for Thotlakonda beach.
The 2.4 acres beach will be ready for the general public shortly. District Tourism Information Officer V.S. Lakshman Rao said that the tourism department has spent almost Rs 1 crore for Thotlakonda beach. It will include a park with sprawling landscaped lawns and four spacious food courts, washrooms for men and women and other basic amenities.
Vizagites and tourists from various parts of the country have been often disappointed as the existing beaches, RK Beach and Rushikonda beach in the city have failed to attract visitors.
Hence, the Mangamaripeta beach will be developed with water sports and other facilities. Two firms, Livein and India Extreme will develop the water sports facilities, including speed boats, scuba diving and water scooter rides and the time line for that has been set by March 31.
“We are waiting for the Forest Department clearance for the development of the Sagarnagar and Yendada beaches and hopefully we may get the clearance soon,” said Mr Lakshman Rao.
While Sagar Nagar project will be come up on .98 hectares at a cost of Rs 65 lakh, Yendada will come up on .97 hectares at a cost of Rs 80 lakh, he added.
The tourism department also planned for development of Mutyalammapalem, Revupolavaram and Yarada beaches in the coming days as the beaches were beautiful and located away from the city.
