VISAKHAPATNAM: PREPARATORY works for the beachfront parks in the city, proposed by the Tourism department, is moving at a snail’s pace. The Thotlakonda beach park which was developed with more than `2 crore a few months ago has been waiting for inauguration by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. The officials say that land litigation is delaying the process to start works at other proposed beachfront parks.
In the first phase of the beach tourism development, the authroities has decided to develop six beachfront areas in both south and north of Visakhapatnam. It was decided to develop Thotlakonda, Sagarnagar, Yendada and Mangamaripeta beaches to the north of Vizag, while in the south, Yarada and Revupolavaram were proposed. However, except Thotlakonda park, works in none of the other beaches did not begin due to land and revenue issues.
The construction of beachfront park developed opposite the Thotlakonda Buddhist site was completed in the first week of April. A walk down along the spot will leave the tourists very excited. Having dinner before the beach will give one an ethereal experience. The night view from the park will enthuse the tourists, said the officials.
The Tourism department has completed the beach shacks for visitors with large dining space, separate showers for men and women, parks with manicured lawns, parking space and other amenities. Though it’s all set to open, the Chief Minister is yet to give an appointment.
Though the Yendada, Sagarnagar and Mangamaripeta parks were bogged down by court cases, the officials said that the Yendada and Sagarnagar were cleared of the cases and are awaiting forest department clearance. Around `2 crore would be spent on both the projects, said an official.
Visakhapatnam Tourism department officer V Lakshman said: “The sites at Sagarnagar and Yendada are in the final stages of the Forest clearances. We will start the works soon. But the Mangamaripeta site is still sub judice,” said Lakshman.
The tourism officer also added that the works on the beachfront parks at Revupolavaram beach in S.Rayavaram mandal and Yarada in south Vizag will start soon. “The Revupolavaram beach project will come up on eight acres, while the Yarada project will come up on five acres. Both the projects will cost around `3 crore,” said Lakshman.