Anantapur gets tourism boost

Anantapur: The district will be developed as a major tourism centre and would be linked to the proposed tourist hub proposed by Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu with Rajahmundry, Tirupati, Vijayawada and Anantapur, stated local MLA V Prabhakar Chodhury.

Participating in the World Tourism Day celebrations at Shilparamam Tourism Centre here on Tuesday, Prabhakar opined that tourism plays a crucial role in regional and national development as there would a travel boom, exposure to tourists and also generate revenue for the region and State. Within the district, Puttaparthi had already gained worldwide recognition. This apart Timmamma Marri Manu, Gooty Fort, Penukonda, Kadiri and Lepakshi are also historical centres of repute.

These centres would be developed on an international scale to attract foreign tourists. Shilparamam, a cultural and artisans centre, spread over 110 acres of land itself is a major tourist edifice which has the potential to draw international tourists attention particularly art lovers, he said.

“The Chief Minister has already included the district in the State tourism hub and such an inclusion would boost our bid to develop the district into a major religious tourist destination. The Peace Memorial Hall of the Second World War era would be converted into a War Memorial Centre located in the city, he added.

Shilparamam already developed with the MLA's efforts now have horse and camel riding, boat club with motor and peddle boating and musical fountain. Prabhakar said that the future plans include Amusement Park, Botanical Garden and Children's World, he added. To encourage the people in old age and the physically challenged persons, a battery car will be placed at the disposal of the targeted sections so that they could sit in the car and go around Shilparamam enjoying the scenic beauty of the place. Louis Braille statue will also be installed on the premises soon, he disclosed.

Mayor Madamanchi Swaroopa expressed happiness for celebrating the World Tourism Day with a slogan 'Tourism at the doorstep of people'. She praised MLA Prabhakar for having taken initiative to develop Shilparamam as a tourist destination.

Zilla Parishad chairman Chaman Saab said that tourism generates jobs and development. He said that already places like Gooty Fort, Ratnagiri Kota and Penukonda have historical significance and if given a boost to facilities they would enter the world tourism map, he opined.

Joint Collector B Lakshmikantham said that several proposals for development of tourist places had already been sent to the government for consideration.

He said that tourism generates revenue. Tirupati gets three crore tourists every year and Rs 2,200 crore revenue is generated by the temple tourism.

Additional JC Sayed Khaja Mohiddeen stated that in the State seven per cent of the State gross revenue comes from tourism besides generating jobs to the jobless. Prizes have been distributed by the MLA and Mayor to winners of prizes in the competitions on the occasion of World Tourism Day celebrations.

‘A rally was taken out on the occasion and a photo exhibition of tourist places in the district arranged by the I&PR department attracted the people's attention.