[1]Vijayawada: Several tourism projects are pending in the city due to lack of initiative from the elected representatives.
The Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation has failed to take up the proposed ropeway project to Kanaka-durga temple. Though the project was proposed several years ago, the officials failed to take it up due to the lethargic attitude of the government.
The APTDC officials proposed to set up ground station at irrigation site near Krishna river. But the irrigation officials objected to the proposal. However, the proposal was sent to government and the tourism officials and clearance awaited. But they failed to receive any clearance from the irrigation department. Once the ropeway is completed it would become an added attraction as thousands of devotees visit the Durga temple from several states. In addition, it would ease traffic congestion on the busy national highway near Prakasam barrage during peak hours.
With the abnormal delay in grounding the project, the ropeway project cost escalated to around Rs 20 crore at present. Though the temple officials are ready to offer land for the ropeway, the irrigation officials failed to give clearance for the project so far. Speaking to this newspaper, APTDC divisional manager Mr J. Raghupathi Rao said that they are yet to get clearance from the irrigation department and the state government to ground the ropeway project.
Meanwhile, the VGTM urban development officials proposed another ropeway from Bhavani island to Undavalli caves at a stretch of 4 km, the longest in South India. Uda vice-chairman Mr GSRKR Vijaykumar mooted a plan to develop eco-tourism near Undavalli caves and set up ropeway connecting Bhavani island and Undavalli caves. That also is in cold storage.
The officials prepared proposals to set up ropeway at a cost of Rs 12 crore. But the the UDA officials fail to ground the project so far. Besides there was no trace of Vijaysiri river front park in Bhavanpuram, for which MP Mr Lagadapati Rajagopal laid foundation last year.
Links:
[1] http://archive.asianage.com/vijayawada-kanaka-durga-temple-12jpg-734