Foundation stone for Akhanda Godavari project to be laid in June first week
Pawan Kalyan
will lay the foundation stone for the Akhanda Godavari project in the first week of June, said AP tourism minister Kandula Durgesh on Monday. He made it clear that the project works will be completed before Godavari Pushkarams.
He mentioned that the project aims to develop several tourist places in Rajahmundry, Rajahmundry rural, Kovvur and Nidadavole assembly constituencies. He informed that tender works have been completed for some works and tender process for remaining works will be completed very soon. He explained that the historical Havelock Bridge will be beautified, Pushkar ghat will be transformed into a spiritual centre, and Kadiyam nurseries will be developed as international tourist destination.
Addressing the media at his camp office in Rajahmundry, Kandula Durgesh said that the tender process for Gandikota project in YSR Kadapa district was completed and project works will begin very soon. He further said that Gandikota will be developed as the Grand Canyon of India. He further said that the Suryalanka beach in Bapatla district will be developed and funds have been sanctioned from the Centre. As Surya Lanka beach is very near to Amaravati, he said that the beach will become a national tourist destination.
He informed that Union minister for tourism has promised more projects to Andhra Pradesh.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
9 hours ago
- First Post
Messi's India tour confirmed: Star footballer to meet PM Modi, attend events in Kolkata, Mumbai and Delhi
The legendary footballer Lionel Mess's 'GOAT Tour of India 2025' will take place in December 2025 and start from Kolkata. Besides holding masterclass for young players, and meeting cricket legends, a statute of the footballer will also be unveiled. Lionel Messi will be travelling to four Indian cities during his trip in December. Image: AP Lionel Messi's much-anticipated visit to India has received its final seal of approval with the Argentine superstar set to kick off his three-city tour in Kolkata on December 12, promoter of the event Satadru Dutta said on Friday (August 15, 2025). As earlier reported by PTI, the football-mad city of Kolkata will be the first stop in Messi's whirlwind trip named , followed by Ahmedabad, Mumbai and New Delhi. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The visit will conclude after a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence on December 15. Messi to hold masterclass for young aspirants in India This will be the Argentine great's first trip to India since 2011 when he visited the country with his national team to play a FIFA friendly against Venezuela at the Salt Lake Stadium here. 'I got the authorisation and afterwards made it official (on social media). Messi will post any day between August 28 and September 1 with the official poster with all details and a small introduction of his tour,' Dutta told PTI, confirming his visit. More from Football Dutta met Messi's father earlier this year to present the proposal, and on February 28, Messi himself met him at his residence for a 45-minute discussion. 'I explained the plan and what we wanted to do. He seemed convinced it was worth it and committed to coming,' Dutta said Messi's entourage may also include Inter Miami teammates Rodrigo De Paul, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, among others, but Dutta refused to divulge any names. Messi's visit will feature a masterclass with children in each city, aimed at inspiring the next generation of Indian footballers. He will land in Kolkata on the night of December 12 and spend two days and one night in his longest stop on the tour. His December 13 schedule begins with a meet-and-greet in the morning, which will also feature a special food and tea festival. 'He's a lover of mate (Argentine herbal tea), so I am doing a fusion of Argentine and Indian Assam tea. This will be an extra addition, to be held on the sidelines of the meet-and-greet event on December 13 morning at his hotel (Taj Bengal). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'All Bengali fish, including hilsa, and sweet delicacies will be there on the platter for the food festival,' Dutta revealed. The day's highlight will be the unveiling of Messi's statue, followed by the 'GOAT Concert' and 'GOAT Cup' at either Eden Gardens or Salt Lake Stadium. Another addition to the tour is the unveiling of his mural during the upcoming Durga Puja, where fans can 'post messages and draw something.' 'Not only will he unveil his biggest-ever statue, we will have a huge mural (dimensions of 25 feet height and 20 feet width) for him, which will be kept at strategic Durga Puja pandal-hopping locations so that all his fans will have an opportunity to paint and post messages in a nearby message box. That mural will be presented to Messi when he's inside the stadium for the GOAT Concert,' Dutta said. He added that two to three possible mural locations have been shortlisted and await police clearance. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Salt Lake Stadium is also under consideration as a backup venue for the Kolkata concert which is originally planned at Eden Gardens. 'We have pencilled in both venues, and the final confirmation will come within 15 days,' Dutta said. The GOAT Cup at Eden Gardens will be a celebratory seven-a-side soft-touch football match, with Messi teaming up alongside Sourav Ganguly, Leander Paes, John Abraham and Bhaichung Bhutia. Organisers expect a sell-out crowd, with tickets likely to start from Rs 3,500. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is expected to felicitate Messi during the programme. Security will be the top priority, he said. 'The Kolkata Police Commissioner made it clear that I'm responsible for the arrangements and ensure that there are no security lapses. Messi's team is also particular about this. It's not just for him, but for every fan attending. He wants everyone to go with a happy memory and without any untoward incident,' Dutta stressed. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Messi's Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Delhi legs On the evening of December 13, Messi will travel to Ahmedabad for a private event hosted by the Adani Foundation. The Mumbai leg on December 14 will feature a meet-and-greet at CCI Brabourne, followed by the GOAT Concert and GOAT Cup at the Wankhede Stadium. The new addition will be the Mumbai Padel GOAT Cup at the CCI, Brabourne. 'Messi, being a great fan of the racket sport (typically played in an enclosed arena), will play padel along with celebrities at the CCI Brabourne, Mumbai,' Dutta said. Sources said Shah Rukh Khan and Leander Paes are among those expected to participate, with Messi possibly playing for five to 10 minutes. The Maharashtra Cricket Association is also planning a 'GOAT moment' pairing Messi with Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma in a GOAT Captain's moment, along with a Bollywood line-up featuring Ranveer Singh, Aamir Khan and Tiger Shroff. In Delhi on December 15, Messi will meet PM Modi at his residence before attending the GOAT Concert and GOAT Cup at Feroz Shah Kotla. Sources revealed that the Delhi District Cricket Association is also inviting Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill, who is a big 'Messi fan', a day after playing India's third T20I against South Africa in Dharamsala. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Indian Express
13 hours ago
- Indian Express
Air Canada cancels flights ahead of strike by thousands of flight attendants
Air Canada has started cancelling flights bracing for a near-total shutdown as a strike by thousands of flight attendants looms, threatening to disrupt travel plans for as many as 130,000 passengers a day. The union representing about 10,000 flight attendants issued a 72-hour strike notice on Wednesday, prompting the airline to issue a lockout notice in response, according to reports by news agencies AP and Reuters. The work stoppage is set to begin just before 1 am EDT (10:30 am IST) on Saturday, potentially grounding operations at the country's largest carrier during peak summer travel. Mark Nasr, Air Canada's Chief Operations Officer, said the airline has started a gradual suspension of both Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge operations to allow for an 'orderly restart,' as per AP, which under the best circumstances would take a week. The first wave of cancellations on Thursday targeted long-haul overseas routes, impacting several dozen flights. By Friday, Nasr estimated cancellations would affect over 100,000 customers, with 500 flights scrapped by day's end. A complete grounding, expected Saturday, could leave about 25,000 Canadians abroad without a way home. Passengers on canceled flights will be eligible for full refunds, and Air Canada is arranging alternatives with other carriers 'to the extent possible,' Nasr said, according to AP. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) says, as per AP, the dispute centers on 'poverty wages' and unpaid labour for duties performed when planes are not in the air, such as boarding and airport standby. At a news conference Thursday, some flight attendants held signs reading 'Unpaid work won't fly' and 'Poverty wages = UnCanadian.' Air Canada's Chief Human Resources Officer Arielle Meloul-Wechsler said the latest offer includes a 38 per cent total compensation increase, including benefits and pensions over four years. She said the company has reached a deadlock but remains open to talks and consensual mediation. The union, however, rejected binding mediation, preferring to negotiate a contract its members can vote on. Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu has urged both sides to return to the bargaining table, reported AP, stressing that 'deals are best made at the bargaining table.' She has asked the union to respond to the airline's arbitration request but stopped short of announcing direct government intervention. (With inputs from Reuters, AP)
Hindustan Times
18 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Why Royal watchers think the winds of change are blowing for Prince Harry and King Charles III
Royal observers who have been pinning their hopes on a reconciliation between Prince Harry and the royals that grew cold since the Sussexes stepped down from royal duties will perhaps have some time in the near future to be hopeful once again. Speculation arises that Prince Harry may soon meet King Charles III during a UK trip next month, potentially rekindling their relationship.(AP) Since that February meeting, there have been no confirmed reports of Harry reconnecting with his father or other senior royals. However, fresh reports suggest the Duke of Sussex could soon meet his father, King Charles III. ALSO READ| Prince Harry to visit UK next month, could meet King Charles and Prince William Us Weekly reported speculation began after People hinted that Harry might meet with the monarch during an upcoming trip to the U.K. next month. The visit is officially tied to his role as patron of WellChild, a charity he has long supported, though royal observers are speculating that a slice of the event was used as an opportunity to rekindle. Harry and Charles haven't met since February 2024 If the meeting does happen, then it would be the first time father and son have been together in person since February 2024. That earlier encounter came shortly after news broke of Charles' cancer diagnosis, prompting Harry to fly to London. Still, the meeting was fleeting, reportedly lasting only about half an hour. 'Charles always keeps a tight schedule and had a planned itinerary to leave London to rest and recuperate in Norfolk. He is very fastidious about timekeeping, but it was significant that he delayed the flight to Sandringham when he knew Harry was visiting,' a source told The Sun. However, Harry later described the visit in an interview with Good Morning America. 'I love my family,' he said. 'The fact that I was able to get on a plane and go and see him and spend any time with him, I'm grateful for that. I jumped on a plane and went to go see him as soon as I could.' ALSO READ| Meghan Markle, Prince Harry's Archewell Productions extends deal with Netflix 'I'll stop in and see my family as much as I can,' Harry said during the interview.
