AP Chambers seeks Centre's support for tourism projects in AP
Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry Federation (AP Chambers) presented a proposal to Union Minister of Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat during his visit to Vijayawada on Thursday. The minister welcomed the ideas and invited a delegation to meet him in New Delhi to discuss them further.
AP Chambers president Potluri Bhaskara Rao noted Andhra Pradesh's prime location, extensive coastline, rich cultural heritage, and spiritual tourism sites, positioning the state as a strong tourism hub. The Chambers urged the Union government to fund key tourism projects in the state.
Rao proposed a coastal beach corridor between Suryalanka (Bapatla District) and Vodarevu (Chirala, Prakasam District), a 10-km stretch with 40-50 mid-scale resorts owned by local entrepreneurs. Without a proper beach road, development is limited. A new road could attract 20-25 high-end resorts, transforming the area into a Mini Goa-like destination.
Rao suggested promoting Visakhapatnam as the 'Gateway to Andhra Pradesh' through government marketing efforts. He recommended an 'Open Sky Policy' for Visakhapatnam International Airport with a hub-and-spoke model to increase tourist arrivals. Visakhapatnam beach should gain 'Beach Destination' status alongside Goa and Kovalam in the Union Ministry of Tourism's 'Incredible India' campaign.
The Chambers proposed developing Manginapudi Beach at Machilipatnam as a beachfront tourism destination under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme, aligning with the upcoming Machilipatnam Greenfield Port and modern Fishing Harbour to boost connectivity and tourism.
Monuments and natural sites like Lepakshi Group of Temples, Gandikota Grand Canyon and Fort, Belum Caves, Guntupalli Group of Monuments, and Salihundam Group of Buddhist Monuments could attract UNESCO World Heritage Site status. The Chambers urged the Union government to pursue these designations.
Major pilgrimage sites like Tirupati, Srisailam, Simhachalam, and Amaravati need focused promotion under the PRASHAD and Swadesh Darshan schemes.
Rao proposed developing the 'Indrakeeladri-Berm Park-Bhavani Island' area in Vijayawada as a Riverfront Mega Tourism Hub, integrating spiritual, wellness, adventure, culinary, ropeway, boating, and water fleet components with the Amaravati Capital Region.
The Chambers also suggested a 'Visakhapatnam-Bhimili-Bhogapuram beachfront corridor' as a Mega Beachfront Tourism Corridor with central funding, aligning with ongoing tourism infrastructure upgrades in the north coastal region.
Finally, the 'Godavari Riverfront Districts' could become a 'Konaseema Agri and Rural Tourism Corridor' with central financial support, leveraging the ecotourism potential of the Godavari River and its tributaries.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
3 hours ago
- Hans India
Centre is committed to support growth of NE's mineral and coal sectors: Kishan
Guwahati/Hyderabad: Union Minister for Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy on Saturday reaffirmed the government's commitment to the development of the North Eastern states during the 2nd North-East Mining Minister's Conclave. Speaking on the second day of the conclave, he emphasized that the Government of India (GoI) would support the mineral- and coal-rich North Eastern states and highlighted plans to strengthen mining infrastructure, expedite project approvals, and promote sustainable mining practices in the region. He stated that the development of the North East was central to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, with the eight states—Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim—recognized as Ashta Lakshmi. He remarked, 'While I could merely offer some kind words, it is evident that various ministries, departments, and officials are engaged in the mining sector. Yet, the sector continues to lag behind,' he noted. He inquired about the status of mining sites, current plans, levels of public cooperation, and what the states desire, suggesting that these elements should be incorporated into a vision plan for each state's mining sector to move forward. He emphasized that better coordination between the Centre and states was essential for creating jobs, attracting investments, and fostering inclusive economic growth through the development of the mineral and coal sectors. He mentioned that Central Ministers had visited the North-Eastern states approximately 700 times, underscoring the commitment of the Centre, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to advancing the all-around development of these states. He also pointed out the numerous infrastructure projects underway in the North East. The MP indicated that he would be willing to speak with the Chief Ministers of the relevant states regarding the mining and mineral exploration sectors if necessary. During the conclave, representatives from all eight North Eastern states presented their strategies for advancing the mining and coal sectors. Ministers from Meghalaya, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim, along with the Advisor to the Chief Minister of Nagaland, outlined state-specific goals, achievements, and plans. They discussed progress in block auctions, critical mineral exploration, coal mine revival, minor mineral development, and the adoption of sustainable mining models. The discussions reflected a mutual commitment to balancing environmental safeguards with economic growth. States also called for increased central assistance to overcome regional challenges and realize their full resource potential. On the sidelines of the conclave, Kishan Reddy inaugurated a new regional office of the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) in Guwahati. This inauguration was attended by Assam's Minister for Mines, Kaushik Rai, as well as VL Kantha Rao, Secretary of the Ministry of Mines, and Sanjay Lohiya, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Mines, alongside Piyush Sharma, Controller General of IBM, and other senior officials from the Central and State Governments. The new IBM office is expected to play a crucial role in strengthening regulatory oversight, technical support, and facilitation services for the mining sector in the North East. Earlier, he called on State Chief Minister Hemanta Biswa Sarma and also visited the Kamakhya Temple.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Bengal jute industry frets over import ban through land ports
1 2 Kolkata: The ban imposed on the import of raw jute through land ports by the Union commerce ministry will cripple the sector in Bengal, leaders of the jute industry said on Saturday. Around 90% of jute-related manufacturing occurs in Bengal. The Indian Jute Manufacturers' Association (IJMA), the umbrella body representing the industry, plans to reach out to the ministry urgently, seeking a modification in the notification so that raw jute and yarn can continue to be imported through Petrapole in North 24 Parganas. "India annually imports around Rs 2,000 crore of jute and jute products from Bangladesh. Value addition is done in Bengal and finished jute products are then re-exported. The govt should ban the import of finished products from Bangladesh as the govt there provides a huge subsidy to the industry. But the ban on raw materials will hurt the industry here. Importing jute bales and yarns through the Nhava Sheva sea port in Navi Mumbai will increase the cost and drive away the relative price advantage that companies manufacturing jute products enjoy in this region," said Hemant Bangur, chairman of Gloster Ltd, one of the leading jute companies in India. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata Kartik Chakraborty, secretary of Customs Clearing Agent Association, Petrapole, said jute items comprised 60% of the trucks that crossed the border into India from Bangladesh. "After the Bangladeshi garment import ban through land ports was announced on May 17, the number of trucks that entered India reduced from 150-200 a day to 70-80 daily. Now, with the ban on jute products, only 15-20 trucks will arrive. Around 50 trucks, loaded with jute-related items and were about to cross the border on Friday when the notification came, turned back on Saturday," Chakraborty recounted. A ban has been imposed on imports of certain jute products and woven fabrics through all land routes, citing strained relations between the two countries. The goods under these curbs include jute products, flax tow and waste, jute and other bast fibres, jute, single flax yarn, single yarn of jute, multiple folded, woven fabrics or flex and unbleached woven fabrics of jute. Ghanshyam Sarda, chairman of Sarda Group, which owns Agarpara Jute Mill, said the circular requires further clarification. "While it states that the import of jute and other textile-based fabrics is restricted, it does not explicitly specify whether hessian and sacking bags fall within the scope of this restriction. It is a matter of serious concern that the import of hessian fabric and jute bags continues to remain unrestricted, whereas the import of raw jute from Bangladesh — an essential input for domestic manufacturing and vital to addressing the raw jute shortage in India — has been placed under restriction. We are hopeful the Centre will revisit the matter and take appropriate corrective action in due course," he said.
Indian Express
7 hours ago
- Indian Express
Union minister Vaishnaw flags off Purulia–Bankura–Howrah MEMU train: ‘101 stations being upgraded'
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday virtually inaugurated the first Purulia–Bankura–Howrah MEMU train via Masagram, highlighting the Centre's drive to expand and modernise rail networks. He noted that currently the rail investment in West Bengal has risen from around rupees 4,380 crore in 2009–14 to about rupees 14,000 crore. The new service revives the historic Bankura–Damodar link, covering 283 km at a fare of just Rs 60—cheaper than the Rs 65 Kharagpur route. It will serve daily commuters, students, and traders by offering cleaner, faster travel between Purulia, Bankura, Masagram, and Howrah. Masagram now links the South Eastern Railway's Bankura–Masagram line with the Eastern Railway's Howrah–Bardhaman chord, promising improved access, tourism growth, and economic development across Purulia, Bankura, Hooghly, and Howrah districts. Vaishnaw also inspected redevelopment work at Santragachi Station under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, which aims to transform ageing stations into modern transit hubs with enhanced passenger amenities. 'In West Bengal alone, 101 stations are being upgraded at an extraordinary pace,' he said. 'This isn't just development—it's a new era for Indian Railways, replacing 50–60-year-old facilities with modern infrastructure that meets today's expectations for quality and experience.'
