AP Plans Two Buddhist Circuits to Boost Tourism

VIJAYAWADA: In order to give the much-needed boost to the tourism sector in the State, the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) has proposed two Buddhist Heritage Tourism Circuits covering 21 prominent Buddhist sites spread over eight districts.

According to official sources, the state government has submitted a proposal to the Union government involving an outlay of about Rs 1,300 crores for development of tourism-related infrastructure in these identified areas. One Budhist Tourism Circuit will cover West Godavari, Krishna,  Guntur and Prakasam districts while the other one joins Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam and East Godavari districts.

“The project consists of developing basic infrastructure, including roads, power and water supply besides drainage systems. It also proposes undertaking of local awareness programmes on tourism and preservation of heritage sites apart from enabling local communities to participate in the planning and implementation of local tourism development,” said K Lakshminarayana, chief consultant, Andhra Pradesh Project Facilitators and Consultancy Services Limited (APPFCS).

“As part of the proposed project, an MoU will be signed between the Archaeological Survey of India, the Union government and the APTDC along with AP Archaeology and Museum department for conservation of all Buddhist Heritage sites in AP,” he said.

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