Come May 2015, tourists at Visakhapatnam can sunbathe on the decks at Rushikonda or Bheemili beach. They can also go yachting, play beach volleyball on the sands or just go on a nice long ride on the 30 km stretch of the beach road between RK beach and Bheemili, if the plans of the tourism department are anything to go by.

With the Central government releasing the first instalment of Rs 3.2 crore for the Visakhapatnam-Bheemili Beach Corridor Circuit (VBBCC) project, several tourism spots along the beach road are all set to get a major facelift. The Rs 45.88 crore project is also set to give a major boost to tourism in the City of Destiny. Union minister of state for tourism K Chiranjeevi is expected to lay the foundation stone for the project shortly.

With Central assistance, the government will develop RK Beach, Kailasagiri, Rushikonda beach, Bavikonda, Thotlakonda, Pavuralakonda, Erramatti Dibbalu, Mangamaripeta, Bheemili village and other important spots along the coast.

The proposed project is aimed at developing the beach road at specific nodes and encourage tourism-related activities that help in future development of the beach road.

Over 50 percent of these funds (Rs 24 crore) will be used for the beautification of the beach corridor with softscapes, a new landscaping scheme, to ensure more consistent streetscape image, with a mix of indigenous and exotic trees of coastal character, apart from signages, parking lots, approach roads and other amenities. Pedestrian sidewalks and beach sidewalks are also part of the project.

Further, the tourism authorities are planning to create a signature image for the RK beach, which will define the beach promenade with the incorporation of viewing decks, picnic areas, landscaping, special lighting and water features, besides linking the existing and new recreational public gathering spaces served by adjacent public parking.

Meditation decks, jogging tracks and pathways, plazas, sculpture court and other facilities will be developed along the RK beach with about Rs 7.9 crore to attract tourists.

At Rushikonda, sunbathing decks, Beach-side Bazaar with local fishermen art and crafts, and a plaza, will be the notable developments to come up, while water sports such as yachting, boat rides, kayaking, beach volleyball, surfing, windsurfing and para-sailing activities will be developed at Rushikonda.

At Bheemili, the existing dockyard is proposed to be redeveloped and enhanced aesthetically to attract tourists. The dock area will be paved with eco-friendly materials, with landscaping, lighting and illumination.

Indira Gandhi Zoo Park also will get softscaping for an area of 20,000 sq m, apart from the much-awaited battery-operated cars/eco-friendly modes of transport for visitors within the zoo. Places like Erramatti Dibbalu will have more approach roads with seating areas, footpaths and also watchtowers. Tourists can also enjoy a view of the city and the sea from watch towers atop Kailasagiri, Thotlakonda and other hills.

Speaking to Express, tourism information officer SD Anitha said the project work will commence soon after laying of the foundation stone.

“Both the Union minister for tourism and state tourism minister are keen on the development of the Beach Corridor. Hence, we expect no further delays. The government will provide land free of cost and no private land will be acquired for the project, she said

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh  / by PS Dileep & S Bachan jeet Singh – Hyderabad/Visakhapatnam / April 03rd, 2013