Nellore:
Ecotourism spots and ancient temples in the district will soon be transformed into something attractive as the district administration is gearing up to expedite works of delayed tourism projects with a whopping Rs 60 crore.
Apart from face-lifting existing tourism spots and temples, officials are taking up several other projects under Public Private Partnership (PPP) to promote ecotourism at beaches, forests and water bodies.
In view of this, finance minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy recently inaugurated a resort constructed by the tourism department at Penchalakona and also laid foundation stone for the development of ecotourism project near Somasila Reservoir.
Steps are also being taken for the development of tourism resorts at Tummalapenta beach in Kavali rural mandal, Bheemulavaripalem near Pulicat lake and Velangani Matha Temple at Kodur beach in TP Gudur mandal.
A tourism corridor connecting all major pilgrim centres in Nellore and Chittoor districts is also being planned. This is expected to be of help to pilgrims visiting Tirumala.
District Tourism Promotion Committee chairman and district collector B Sridhar is taking measures for speeding up ongoing projects like Bhagavan Venkaiah Swamy Ashram in Golagamudi village of Venkatachalam mandal, Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple in Konda Bitragunta village in Bogolu mandal,
Udayagiri Fort works in Udayagiri, Irukalala Parameswari Ammavari temple in Nellore town, beautification of Sri Talpagiri Ranganatha Swamy temple in Nellore town, and Tourism Information Centre (TIC) at Jonnavada.
According to sources, funds have been sanctioned for ecotourism project at Bheemulavaripalem in Tada mandal which will be executed on the bases of Public Private Partnership.
A family entertainment centre is also coming up in the district. "We are also planning to develop Gandipalem, waterfalls near Udayagiri, and famous Pulicat Lake to promote ecotourism in the region," said district collector Sridhar.
He said that efforts are also on develop places of historical significance in Nellore.
The coastal district is set to become a much sought after destination for tourism if all proposed projects are executed as per the schedule.
The funds have been sanctioned for these projects based on a comprehensive report by District Tourism Promotion Committee (DTPC) and survey conducted by Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) over dilapidated condition of many tourism spots and ancient temples.