Vishakhapatanam: The Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) has decided to invite tenders for the Vizag aquarium next week. The aquarium is a one-of-its-kind project in Asia, according to the officials.
The aquarium is among 10 other projects that was approved by the AP Cabinet on May 4 and recently discussed by Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. It was also approved by the Infrastructure Corporation of Andhra Pradesh.
“One agency from Hyderabad came forward to develop the project but as many more investors are coming forward, we have decided to invite multiple tenders,” said managing director of APTDC S. Satyanarayana on Friday.
He said the tunnel mode aquarium would come up at Thotlakonda beach under PPP mode. The project cost is estimated at Rs 163 crore but might be reduced to Rs 100 crore.
The project components include development of various themes like Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, shark lab, shipwreck, Indian rivers, get-in-touch, Mediterranean cave, tunnel reef restaurant, green photo facility, souvenir shop, food courts and other minor attractions.
The aquarium will span across 10 acres and will be a tunnel-shaped structure that provides a 360° view of the ocean. More than 1,500 people will be able to see the aquarium at a time.
The minister for tourism said the project needed approvals from many agencies since it would be located on the beach, adding that due to the pandemic situation, it got stalled.
“Now the Chief Minister has focused on tourism projects in the recent meetings, things will pick up pace,” the minister told this newspaper.
Sources in the APTDC said the officials were also busy finding suitable locations for the London Eye type giant wheel, the pet project of the Chief Minister and sky-tower that was initially proposed atop Kailasagiri Hills on the beach road.
