AP Minister conducts review meeting on Tourism Projects

Visakhapatnam, Nov 23 (UNI) The Andhra Pradesh Minister for Information and Public Relations, Cinematography and Tourism, A Ramanarayana Reddy today conducted a review meeting with district officials on the status of the pending Tourism Projects in the district.

Talking to newspersons here, he said the government was keen to develop Visakhapatnam as a coastal tourist destination and eco-tourist centre after Hyderabad, as envisioned by the Chief Minister, Y S Rajasekhara Reddy.

The Minister said Visakhapatnam was blessed with basic infrastructure facilities like rail, road network and sea port and International Airport would be be set up soon. Besides this, developing coastal corridor would pave the way for major projects to flourish here, he added.

Mr Reddy said 560 acres of land was set up across the district for development and implementation of various tourism related projects.

A Tourism Bhawan would be set up soon, similar to the one at Hyderabad, he added.

The Minister said the government would issue termination notices to the companies for their failure to initiate projects from 1999 despite the allotment of land.

If private entrepreneurs were not inclined to take steps for the development of projects, the government would look for an alternative, he added.

Mr Reddy said the 'Dutch Village' concept for the development of tourist spots around Dutch Cemeteries had been approved and the Centre had sanctioned Rs 4.7 crore for the project.

The Minister assured that local people in the tribal areas would be given priority in employment with remuneration on par with other tourism projects in the State.

UNI