Latest news with #AkhandaGodavariProject
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Akhanda Godavari will give a boost to tourism: Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM : Union Minister for Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has said the Akhanda Godavari Pushkara Project will boost tourism in the Godavari Region, besides providing direct and indirect employment to 8,000 people. Shekhawat, along with Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, laid the foundation stone for the `97 crore Akhanda Godavari Project at Pushkara Ghat in the city on Thursday. Speaking on the occasion, he said the allocation of funds for the project under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme will be utilised for the development of the Havelock Bridge, Pushkara Ghat and other important places. 'Pushakara Ghat will become a major spiritual place in the country. Tent city will be set up in 120 acres of Bridge Lanka in the Godavari river, which is connected with the old rail bridge. Theme parks will be developed on the Havelock Bridge, showcasing the rich history of Rajamahendravaram,' he said. The Union Minister assured that Rajamahendravaram will get heritage tag soon. Shekhawat emphasised the potential of the tourism sector to generate employment opportunities, and contribute to the State's economy. Double engine govt is driving AP's growth: PK The Akhanda Godavari project will be completed swiftly, making it a renowned tourist destination in the country. A Buddhist circuit, eco tourism and infrastructure development also will be taken up. Andhra Pradesh will become a major tourist destination with the potential to attract 35 lakh tourists per annum by 2035. 'Plans are also afoot to develop Puttaparthi, Araku and other places in AP as major tourist destinations. We are setting up lights and sound show in Puttaparthi and Araku,' he revealed. He said, 'India is projected to get 3 billion domestic tourist visits, and 20 million foreign tourist arrivals in 2025. India has made significant progress in the World Economic Forum's Travel and Tourism Development Index, moving from 54th to 39th place.' Pawan Kalyan said, 'Our State is achieving rapid economic development as there is a double engine government.' Ministers Kandula Durgesh and N Ramanaidu, MP Daggubati Purandeswari, MLAs Gorantla Butchaiah Chowdary and Adireddy Srinivas, Special CS Ajay Jain, East Godavari Collector P Prasanthi and others were present.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Indira crushed democracy during Emergency: Shekhawat
Says that it is important to educate today's generation about those dark days Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Thursday described the Emergency imposed by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on June 25, 1975, as the 'darkest period in Indian democracy.' Addressing the media during his visit to Rajamahendravaram, the Minister said that it is important to educate today's generation about those dark days. He stated that during the Emergency, fundamental rights were suspended, press freedom was curtailed, and authoritarian rule prevailed. 'Over one lakh people were arrested without proper legal procedures. Indira Gandhi crushed democracy and ruled like a dictator. Her son Sanjay Gandhi also unleashed tyranny on the people,' he alleged. The Minister said that it was only due to the united resistance of the people that democracy was eventually restored. He paid tribute to leaders like Jayaprakash Narayan and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who spearheaded the resistance during the Emergency. 'Even today, the Congress has not shown any remorse or condemned the imposition of Emergency, which is truly unfortunate,' he remarked. As part of his visit, Shekhawat, along with Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, laid the foundation stone for the Akhanda Godavari Project, inaugurated a Science Centre, and participated in the ground-breaking ceremony for the Forest Academy in Rajamahendravaram. He also commented on the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, saying that the situation there is now under control and tourists can visit safely. Highlighting the Centre's commitment to Andhra Pradesh's development, Shekhawat said that the 'double engine government' is fast-tracking progress in the state. The Union Government is fully supporting key sectors like irrigation and tourism, and all development works are being taken up in a phased and planned manner, he said.
India Gazette
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Akhanda Godavari Project marks a significant milestone: Pawan Kalyan
East Godavari (Andhra Pradesh) [India], June 26 (ANI): Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K Pawan Kalyan on Thursday said that the Akhanda Godavari Project marks a significant milestone in the cultural, spiritual, and economic potential of the Godavari region. Earlier in the day, he and Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat performed bhumi puja for the 94 crore project on the banks of the river Godavari in Rajamahendravaram City here. 'Respected Hon'ble Union Minister Sri @gssjodhpurJi (Gajendra Singh Shekhawat), It was an honour to have you in Rajamahendravaram for the foundation stone ceremony of the Akhanda Godavari Project. This project marks a significant milestone in the cultural, spiritual, and economic potential of the Godavari region,' Kalyan said in a post on X. Kalyan also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 'From rejuvenating the historic Havelock Bridge to transforming Pushkar Ghat, and creating enriching experiences like the Kadiyam Nursery Centre, the Nidadavole Temple development shows a deep commitment to development and preserving our heritage. With the 2027 Godavari Pushkarams in sight, this effort will truly redefine cultural heritage tourism in Andhra Pradesh's progress. My heartfelt thanks to Hon'ble Prime Minister Sri @narendramodi Ji and the @MinOfCultureGoI @tourismgoi for the constant support from the Union Government in realising this dream project,' Kalyan said. Meanwhile, Union Minister Shekhawat said that the project will boost heritage tourism, ushering in a new era for Godavari's spiritual and economic landscape. He added that the project will revitalise the iconic Havelock Bridge, redevelop Pushkar Ghat, create a Kadiyam Nursery Experience Centre, and enhance pilgrim infrastructure at Nidadavol. 'Wonderful to be in Rajamahendravaram along with Andhra Pradesh Dy CM Shri @PawanKalyan garu to participate in laying the foundation stone of the 'Akhanda Godavari' project,' Shekhawat said in a post on X. 'At a cost of 94.44 crore, this transformative cultural-tourism project under the SASCI scheme will revitalise the iconic Havelock Bridge, redevelop Pushkar Ghat, create a Kadiyam Nursery Experience Centre, and enhance pilgrim infrastructure at Nidadavolu. It will boost heritage tourism, ushering in a new era for Godavari's spiritual and economic landscape,' he added. (ANI)
Hans India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat lays stone for Akhanda Godavari Project
Union Minister Gajendra singh Shekhawat, alongside Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, has laid the foundation stone for the Akhanda Godavari Project at Pushkara Ghat in Rajamahendravaram. The event was also attended by Andhra Pradesh Minister Kandula Durgesh and Member of Parliament Purandeshwari. The ambitious project, estimated to cost ₹94.44 crores, aims to enhance the historical city's appeal and develop the surrounding areas to attract foreign tourists. It is expected to be completed by the time of the upcoming Pushkaralu festival, further promoting Rajamahendravaram as a key tourist destination.
Hans India
5 days ago
- Hans India
Durgesh upbeat on Akhanda Godavari's tourism potential
Rajamahendravaram: Tourism, culture and cinematography minister Kandula Durgesh expressed confidence that the ambitious Akhanda Godavari Project, taken up at an estimated cost of Rs 94.44 crore, will transform the Godavari region into a major tourism hub, attracting between 15 to 20 lakh visitors annually and generating employment for over 8,000 people. Speaking to the media here on Monday, the minister announced that the foundation stone for the project will be laid at 10 am on June 26 by Union minister for tourism and culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, and Rajahmundry MP Daggubati Purandeswari. The project encompasses the redevelopment of the historic Havelock Bridge, the spiritual enhancement of Pushkar Ghat, the introduction of a daily Godavari Harathi, the establishment of an Experience Centre at Kadiyam Nursery, and the beautification of key religious and tourism spots such as Bridge Lanka and the famed Sri Kota Sattemma temple in Nidadavole. The Havelock Bridge, a 127-year-old heritage structure, will be reconstructed and converted into a dynamic cultural and recreational destination. Of its 54 spans along the 2.7 km stretch, 25 spans will be developed, each themed individually including zones representing Rajamahendravaram's history, Andhra Pradesh's legacy, waterfalls, a glass bridge, gaming zones, a space-themed gallery, urban hot craft bazaar, hanging gardens, a hologram zoo, time travel exhibits, a rail museum, and an aquarium tunnel. Adjacent to these zones, 10 buffer spaces will be created for visitor amenities. Durgesh added that a tent city will be set up on the 120-acre Bridge Lanka area beyond the 18th span, and boating facilities will be introduced to ferry visitors to and from nearby ghats. Pushkar Ghat will be developed into a prominent spiritual destination, with a combined vision to make Havelock Bridge and Pushkar Ghat a unified, dynamic tourist attraction. Kadiyam Nursery, one of the largest nurseries in India, will be elevated into an Experience Centre, with surrounding nurseries at Kadiyapulanka and Pottilanka being upgraded with eco-friendly infrastructure. The historically significant Sri Kota Sattemma temple in Timmarajupalem (Nidadavole mandal) will also undergo beautification under the project. Additionally, plans are in place to create a Godavari Harathi Ghat at Samisragudem on the Godavari canal and initiate boating experiences in the canal. Durgesh emphasised that the vision of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is to drive tourism-led employment and wealth creation. Revenue will be generated through entry fees, tourism activities, and retail outlets within the developed zones. In preparation for the Godavari Pushkaralu, roads, transport, and tourism infrastructure will be upgraded across key locations, he said. He announced that the Oberoi Group has shown interest in investing in five locations across the state, with resort plans underway at Picchukalanka. Durgesh also stated that Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan made a remarkable speech during the Murugan Bhaktavargal manadu held in Tamil Nadu. The state government is currently formulating a comprehensive film policy to boost the cinema industry in Andhra Pradesh. On the political front, the minister strongly criticised YSRCP president Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy for making provocative remarks during public tours. He condemned Jagan Mohan Reddy's approach, which he said encourages conflict and unrest. Durgesh called upon the people to reject divisive politics and support the government's efforts to establish peace and progress. He also criticised the previous administration for constructing the Rushikonda Palace instead of tourism resorts, which, he claimed, led to a loss in revenue for the tourism department. He noted that the palace's maintenance is currently causing heavy burden and said a decision will soon be taken to repurpose it for public benefit.
