VIJAYAWADA: If the AP Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) stays focused on its new infrastructure proposal, the Krishna will soon boast of a luxury yacht service.
To begin with, the corporation has earmarked three acres of land at Bhavani Island in the Krishna where it wants to develop a marina with moorings for yachts. Not at variance with the norm world over, the corporation wants to let out the infrastructure to private operators. The corporation also wants to have its own yachts for rentals.
“Under the Sagar Mala Project, the Centre has cleared the DPR for the creation of yachting facilities at Bhavani Island. The centre will provide Rs 20 core and the state will come up with an equal amount for the creation of the facility. To begin with, we will have a housing capacity of 25 yachts,” AP Tourism Development Corporation director Himanshu Shukla said.
The Centre has cleared all five projects for the creation of yachting facilities which the APTDC proposed and has given in principle approval for the remaining four projects at Nellore, Srikakulam, EG and Visakhapatnam, but will make the next move only after clearance from hydrological studies.
“As Bhavani Island is on the Krishna, the project was cleared immediately since it will not pose the kind of problems that usually arise when such a facility is proposed in coast spots,” Shukla said.
The marina — a dock with moorings and supplies for yachts and small boats — at Bhavani Island will have an initial capacity to hold 25 yachts, but is likely to be extended to accommodate 96.
“We have already called tenders for the construction of a 25-yacht marina,” he said.
“Four of the parking spaces of which will be for 100 seaters, eight for mid-sized ones, eight for 20 to 30 seaters and four for six seaters. That means yachts will be available for all classes of revelers,” he said.
“The tourist spot will have a restaurant, parking facility, food courts and so on. We are hopeful that it will be a success. A yacht may cost Rs 1 crore or at most Rs 2 crore, which is not a big investment for an investor,” he says.
The APTDC is also mulling yacht tours in the Krishna for a distance of 12 km in and around Bhavani Island up to Pavitra Sangamam. “We can go up to Pavitra Sangamam from Punnami Ghat. Any one hiring a yacht can go around and enjoy the scene and have a party in the yacht itself or anchor it at various locations and spend time on the islets,” Shukla says.
The operators of the private boats make Rs 1 lakh a day on an average. There is scope to increase this, he feels. “Our revenue from operating boats from Punnami Ghat to Bhavani Island too has been going up. In 2015-16, the revenue was Rs 1.2 crore but it went upto Rs 1.6 crore in 2016-17,” he says.