VIJAYAWADA:The tourism department has intensified its efforts to complete the ongoing tourism project works at Kotipalli, Draksharamam and Antarvedi in East Godavari district and Gospada Kshetram in West Godavari district before the commencement of Godavari Pushkarams in July, so people can avail the facilities. The tourism development works at these four places were part of the mega tourism circuit sanctioned for the twin Godavari districts, for which Rs 45.88 crore was earmarked.
However, with Godavari pushakrams fast approaching, tourism department officials have prioritised it.
In Antarvedi, where the famous shrine of Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy is located, where Vasishta Godavari, the distributary of Godavari river, merges into the sea, there are no places for the visitors to stay. They have to find accommodations at Malkipuram, some 16 km from Antarvedi. Considering the hardships of the visitors, the tourism department had made a proposal for constructing tourist amenities complex at Antarvedi at acost of Rs 3.24 crore and works have commenced. The building, which will have a carpet area of 5,560 sq ft will have 12 rooms and a restaurant.
“The arrangements are permanent and not temporary, generally made for occasions like Pushkarams. As during the occasion, several people are expected to visit the shrine, the place and the facilites can get publicity,” a senior APTDC official told Express. Though there has been a proposal of TTD constructing its choultry in Antarvedi, it is yet to materialise.
At Kotipalli, where the famous Someswara Swamy Temple is located, the tourism department is constructing a tourist amenities complex with 12 rooms and a restaurant. There will also be a floating jetty for mooring tourism department’s boats. Landscaping, rest rooms and other facilities are also being constructed at a cost of Rs 3.6 crore. Similar facilities are also under way at Gospada Kshetram in West Godavari. At Draksharamam, only Koneru related works are under progress. Works pertaining to pathway and other facilities will be taken up shortly.