TIRUPATI: The Tourism Department and the Central Government are going to spend at least `5 crore for the development of Ubbalamadugu waterfalls as a major tourist destination. Tourism officials and Central government representatives inspected the Ubbalamadugu waterfalls and several small ponds in Varadaiahpalem mandal on Thursday.
Joint Secretary of Tourism Department Suman Billa, Joint Director of Indian Tourism Department Shankar Reddy, AP Tourism MD Himanshu Shukla and regional heads reviewed the progress of works taken up at the waterfalls. The development works taken up at Ubbalamudugu include construction of six Pagodas (huts), four toilets and four changing rooms, two each for men and women, 1,000 metre long chain link mesh at the entrance, beautification of the area, repairs to the Ubbalamadugu entrance gate to Lord Shiva temple, tents for trekkers and a dormitory with 20 beds. Development of the existing road from twin towers at Poosala Dibba to the British Bungalow, setting up a parking area, providing benches, signboards, repairs to old traditional bath tubs at a few places in the vicinity and other works are on the anvil. Provision will also be made to install CCTV cameras to strengthen surveillance and ensure safety of tourists.
The development works taken up at Ubbalamadugu are going on at a brisk pace. Along with the Gazebo structures, 106 benches all along the route, entrance arch, solar lights, granite signage boards, greenery and storage tank are also coming up.