AP govt to develop irrigation projects into tourist centres

Hyderabad, Sep 2 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Tourism and Information and Public Relations Minister Aanam Ramanarayana Reddy today said the government proposed to develop the completed irrigation projects into tourist centres as part of tourism promotion in the state.

Replying to a question by V Bhoopal Reddy (Cong) during Question Hour in the Council, he said 35 major and medium irrigation projects, and reservoir sites had been identified and preliminary survey of the 35 sites for feasibility study had been conducted by Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation Limited (APTDC).

Out of 35 sites, seven boating units had been operationalised and four were being run by private agencies. APTDC had so far allotted Rs 1.50 crore for developing boating facilities, he said.

Development of irrigation project sites into tourism projects involved not only boating activities but also development of visitor zones, public amenities, restaurants, guesthouses, resorts, interpretation center, other amusement and entertainment activities, he added.

He said 15 to 20 acres of land would be required for development of all these tourism-related components for developing 'Jalayagnam' sites into tourism destinations.

UNI BR VA SP AS1624