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Hans India
16 hours ago
- Business
- Hans India
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.
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
AP Chambers seeks central support for tourism projects in state
Vijayawada: The AP Chambers of Commerce and Industry Federation sought unconditional support of the Union govt for the development of various tourism projects across Andhra Pradesh. In this regard, the AP Chambers representatives submitted a representation to Union tourism minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, highlighting the vast tourism potential of the state. They detailed the support needed from the Centre for the development of tourism in Andhra Pradesh during his visit to Vijayawada on Thursday. In its representation, the AP Chambers urged the Centre to support the following key tourism projects in the state through adequate financial support. The Chambers urged the Union govt to develop a Coastal Beach Corridor between Suryalanka in Bapatla district and Vodarevu in Chirala of Prakasam district as this coastal stretch has immense potential for tourism-driven growth. This 10-km beach stretch is home to 40-50 mid-scale resorts (MSMEs) by local entrepreneurs. However, there is no proper beach road connecting the beaches in the region. The Chambers requested the development of a beach road between Suryalanka and Vodarevu beaches, which has the potential to attract at least another 20 to 25 high-end resorts in this area, making this entire stretch another 'mini Goa' like destination in AP. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy the Dip: Top 5 Dividend Stocks with Growth Potential Seeking Alpha Read Now Undo Subsequently, the Union govt has been urged to position and promote Visakhapatnam as the 'gateway to Andhra Pradesh' by all modes of promotion, marketing, and publicity by the govt. The Union govt should accord an 'open sky policy' for Visakhapatnam international airport with a hub & spoke strategy, which will boost tourist inflow into the state phenomenally. The Centre was also urged to provide beach destination status to Visakhapatnam. Other tourism development projects included the development of Manginapudi beach at Machilipatnam as a 'beachfront tourism destination' under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme, in tune with the upcoming development projects in the region, 'Machilipatnam greenfield port' and an ultra-modern 'Machilipatnam fishing harbour', which will significantly enhance the connectivity and tourism potential of the region. The AP Chambers further pushed the Union govt to secure the UNESCO World Heritage Site tags for Lepakshi Group of Temples, Gandikota Grand Canyon & Fort, Belum Caves, Guntupalli group of monuments, Salihundam group of Buddhist monuments, and others which have the best chances for securing the UNESCO tag from the state. Further, the Chambers urged the govt for the development of "Indrakeeladri-Berm Park-Bhavani Island" as a 'riverfront mega tourism hub' in Vijayawada, the development of the 'Visakhapatnam-Bhimili-Bhogapuram beachfront corridor' as a 'mega beachfront Tourism Corridor', and the development of 'Godavari riverfront districts' as a 'Konaseema agri & rural tourism corridor' with central financial assistance.
Hans India
4 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
AP Chambers seeks RBI's support for MSMEs
Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry Federation (AP Chambers) in a letter to Sanjay Malhotra, Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) expressed its gratitude to RBI and the Union government for establishing an RBI Regional Office in Vijayawada. AP Chambers also welcomed the appointment of Attah Omar Basheer as regional director and expressed confidence in his leadership. In the representation to the RBI Governor, AP Chambers president Potluri Bhaskara Rao called this move a vote of confidence in the state's economic potential. The Chambers stated that it is a monumental step for Andhra Pradesh's financial ecosystem and reflects RBI's commitment to decentralised financial governance and inclusive development. Bhaskara Rao submitted key suggestions to strengthen the MSME sector, which is vital to Andhra Pradesh's growth. Some of them include expansion of access to Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE), accepting agricultural land as loan collateral for MSMEs, capping SME loan interest rates at 9 per cent, reducing credit rating dependence for MSMEs, extending NPA classification period to 180 days, establish a permanent MSME loan restructuring framework, mandate TReDS participation for large corporates/PSUs on onboarding of MSMEs on TReDS platform, promoting digital lending and alternative credit scoring MSMEs, and offering financial literacy and risk training for MSMEs. He also suggested extending lending incentives to banks and NBFCs that actively lend to women-led, SC/ST, and rural MSMEs. He requested the RBI to conduct regular 'Town Hall' meetings to address the concerns of MSMEs.
New Indian Express
12-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Strengthen MSME ecosystem: Andhra Pradesh Chambers
VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry Federation (AP Chambers) wrote to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, and congratulated the TDP-led NDA government on the successful completion of one year. In the representation, AP Chambers president Potluri Bhaskara Rao mentioned that the government under the visionary leadership of Naidu has accomplished major milestones, and key projects aimed at propelling the State's economy. 'Under the Chief Minister's leadership, the State government launched Swarna Andhra Vision-2047, and excellent industrial policies. With these initiatives, AP is set on a transformational path of inclusive development, innovation and industrial growth,' Rao said. 'We appreciate the government for its efforts to balance both economic development and welfare. We also appreciate the government for giving importance to Speed of Doing Business. 'The government has given utmost importance to the construction of key projects like Amaravati capital city and Polavaram, which have potential to transform the economic landscape of AP,' Rao hailed. He said although the government has launched many policies to strengthen the MSME ecosystem in the State, MSMEs are facing a lot of hardships due to the rise in production costs, drop in demand due to global economic downturn. 'We urge the government to come to the aid of the MSMEs by releasing the long-pending incentives,' he said. 'We request the government to look into the power charges for industries. The bringing down of charges will offer a big relief to industries,' he said.
Hans India
04-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Plea to quadruple Duvvada-Nidadavolu railway line
Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry Federation (AP Chambers) in a letter to the Divisional Railway Manager of Vijayawada Division Narendra A Patil requested the railways to quadruple the Duvvada-Nidadavolu railway line. In the representation, AP Chambers president Potluri Bhasakara Rao stated that Duvvada railway station is an important station as it comes under Visakhapatnam city, which is home to a Special Economic Zone, Med Tech Zone, Vizag Steel Plant, Bulk Drug Park, and several industries. The upcoming Arcelormittal-Nippon Steel Plant in Anakapalli will also be close to Duvvada railway station. The Duvvada to Nidadavolu stretch is the aqua hub of the country. Similarly, there is widespread cultivation of several plantation crops like coconut, palm and others in this stretch. The paddy from the area is transported to different places in India and is also exported to many countries. There are many projects that are coming up in this region including Petrochemical Complexes in the Kakinada region, a Multi Modal Logistics Park (MMLP) in Duvvada-Anakapalli area and a bulk drug park near Anakapalli area. There are also crude oil refineries in the region. The establishment of the fourth railway line between Duvvada-Nidadavole, can function as a dedicated freight corridor enabling faster and economical transportation of goods. It has tremendous potential to emerge as a better alternative to transportation of goods by road as it will be cheaper and faster than road transport. The fourth railway line will also improve the cargo handling capability of Vijayawada Division, thereby increasing its revenue. Bhaskara Rao requested the railways to grant the necessary funds for expediting the development of the new railway line between Duvvada and Nidadavole.
