Buddhist Corridor proposed in Srikakulam

Srikakulam: In a fillip to the tourism circuit in Srikakulam district, the Tourism and Archeology Departments have proposed development of a ‘Buddhist Corridor’ to protect ancient monuments apart from attracting tourists. For the proposed corridor, the Central government would allot Rs 8 crore and the Tourism and Archeology Departments has to prepare a detailed project report (DPR).
A consultancy team toured the district in the month of March and proposed developing Buddhist sites at Nagaralapeta village near Kalingapatnam in Gara mandal, Shalihundam – a known Buddhist site in the same mandal, Danthavarapukota in Sarubujjili mandal, Jagathimettu in Polaki mandal along with the Buddhist site at Donubai waterfalls in Sitampeta mandal.
Sites at Nagaralapeta and Shalihundam are under Central Archeology Department, while Danthavarapukota and Jagathimettu sites are under State Archeology Department. In coordination with Central and State Archeology Departments, officials from Tourism Department have decided to develop the sites with the aid of Central government.
The consultancy team visited all the four sites and the waterfalls at Donubai and identified that an approach road and a garden should be developed at Nagaralapeta, with an estimated cost of Rs 50 lakh. Parks, rest houses, rest benches and toilets would be developed at Danthavarapukota, Shalihundam with an estimated cost of Rs 4 crore. Similarly, site at Jagathimettu and site near Donubai waterfalls will be developed with an estimated budget of Rs 2 crore and Rs 1.5 crore.
Speaking to The Hans India, District Tourism Promotional Officer (DTPO) Nadiminti Narayana Rao said that the corridor was proposed to protect the sites as well as develop tourism. “We have visited the sites along with the consultancy team and identified the development works required to attract tourists. We are also preparing DPR,”he added.