Latest news with #PilgrimageRejuvenationandSpiritualAugmentationDrive
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Shekhawat lays foundation for Akhanda Godavari project
Union minister for tourism and culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Wednesday laid the foundation stone for the Akhanda Godavari tourism project at Rajamahendravaram in Andhra Pradesh's East Godavari district, aimed at transforming the historical city into a global tourism destination. Union tourism minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan at the foundation stone laying event on Thursday. (HT photo) Addressing a meeting on the occasion, Shekhawat said the Akhanda Godavari project, under the Special Assistance for Capital Investment (SACI) scheme of the central government, would help turn Rajamahendravaram into a spiritual and cultural capital. 'The central government has allocated ₹ 95 crore for this initiative and aims to revive the historical Havelock Bridge as a multi-functional tourist hub,' he said. He further said the Centre had extended support to various tourism projects in the state under various schemes such as Swadesh Darshan, Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD), and Challenge-Based Destination Development (CBDD). 'Under Swadesh Darshan 2.0, destinations like Araku, Borra Caves, Lambasingi, and Suryalanka Beach are being developed for eco and adventure tourism,' he said, adding that by 2035, the government was planning to attract 3.5 million tourists annually through the Akhanda Godavari project. The key components of the Akhanda Godavari project include transformation of the 127-year-old Havelock Bridge into a themed tourism park, development of Pushkar Ghat as a spiritual attraction with daily river rituals, creation of tent cities, boating facilities, and cruise tourism infrastructure, revitalisation of Kadiam nurseries and Godavari canals as experiential centres and integration with historical and religious circuits, including Annaram, Srisailam, and Gandikota. State deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan said Rajamahendravaram had a lot of cultural significance. 'The Godavari region has long dreamed of repurposing the Havelock Bridge for tourism. With ₹ 450 crore sanctioned for seven tourism projects, that dream is finally taking shape,' Pawan said. He also underlined the employment potential, noting that completed tourism projects across the state could create over 400,000 jobs. 'The double-engine government — a powerful coalition at the Centre and state — makes rapid development possible,' he said, thanking Shekhawat for his continued support on issues like the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant and Polavaram project. State BJP president and Rajahmundry MP Daggubati Purandeswari said she had already raised in Parliament the demand to declare Rajamahendravaram as a heritage city. She highlighted the central government's ongoing support for Andhra Pradesh's development under the NDA coalition and reiterated her commitment to reviving the region's historical and spiritual identity. State tourism minister Kandula Durgesh, who spearheaded the project, said the Akhanda Godavari initiative would integrate sites like Havelock Bridge, Kadiyam nurseries, Satthemma Temple, and the Godavari canal circuit. He personally thanked Shekhawat for approving the DPR and accelerating the project. 'Rajamahendravaram will emerge as a cultural capital. We will request the National School of Drama here and push for its recognition as a heritage city,' Durgesh said. East Godavari district in-charge minister Nimmala Ramanaidu and Rajahmundry MLA Adireddy Vasu, principal secretary (tourism) Ajay Jain and others took part in the event.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Indrakeeladri temple development gains momentum; master plan, land protection in focus
The Andhra Pradesh government is moving swiftly on the comprehensive development and protection of the historic Sri Kanaka Durga Temple on Indrakeeladri, with two high-level review meetings held on Monday focusing on infrastructure upgrades and safeguarding temple lands from encroachment. Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy chaired a review meeting on the ongoing temple development works and the implementation of the master plan, on Monday. The Minister emphasised that the government is prioritising the enhancement of basic infrastructure to accommodate the growing number of devotees from across India. 'The temple will be part of the national Vision Document 2047. We are implementing a master plan to address issues systematically,' he stated. Highlighting the cooperation of local representatives, the Minister acknowledged the proactive roles played by both Vijayawada MP Kesineni Shivnath and MLA Sujana Chowdary. He added that efforts are under way to secure Central support under the PRASAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive) scheme to boost temple tourism infrastructure. praised the government's initiatives, calling them 'historic steps' that will leave a lasting legacy. 'We are working on long-term solutions that will stand for the next 50 years. Our DPRs have been reviewed, and we will proceed comprehensively with the master plan. The comfort of devotees remains our highest priority,' he said, hinting at positive developments from his consultations at the Central level. Endowments Department Secretary V. Vinay Chand and Commissioner K. Ramachandra Mohan, along with MLA Sujana Chowdary, joined virtually. Temple lands In a separate review later in the evening, the Kanaka Durga Temple EO V. K. Seena Naik convened a meeting with the temple's Leases and Land Department staff to address the encroachment of 11.54 acres of temple land located in Vijayawada's Kedareswarapeta – Lotus area. The land, valued at approximately ₹200 crore, was found to be illegally occupied. To prevent unauthorised transactions, the lands have now been officially listed under Section 22A 1C (Prohibited Properties). EO Seena Naik stressed that the temple administration, in coordination with the Revenue, Stamps & Registration, and Municipal Administration Departments, is taking immediate and uncompromising action. To address space constraints in the lower Mahāmaṇḍapam zone, the EO held another meeting with temple engineers to evaluate land acquisition for future infrastructure, including a new Anna Prasadam hall and Laddu Potu (kitchen). Executive Engineers Koteshwara Rao and Rambabu were among those present, and discussions centered on maximising available space for upcoming facilities, keeping in view the rising footfall of pilgrims.
The Hindu
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
PM Modi chairs meeting to review progress in tourism sector
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (May 20, 2025) chaired a key meeting in New Delhi to review the progress of work in the country's tourism sector, officials said. Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, his deputy in the Tourism Ministry Suresh Gopi, Union Tourism Secretary V. Vidyavathi and top PMO officials attended the meeting. "The Prime Minister chaired a meeting today to review the progress of work in the tourism sector," a senior official said. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) also shared a short video on its YouTube page. "Attended the review meeting chaired by honourable PM Shri @narendramodi to assess the progress in the #Tourism sector. His visionary leadership is the guiding force for all our efforts in making Bharat a top global tourist destination," Mr. Shekhawat posted on X. Several senior officials of the Tourism Ministry also attended the meeting which lasted over an hour, a source in the Union Tourism Minister's office said. It is learnt that besides touching on the broader contours of the tourism sector, two flagship schemes of the Ministry — PRASAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive) and Swadesh Darshan — were also discussed.
Time of India
01-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Simhachalam temple wall was built hastily, admits contractor
Visakhapatnam: The contractor, who built the ill-fated wall that collapsed killing seven devotees in Simhachalam temple, has acknowledged before the three-member committee that the structure was constructed hastily without proper design, following persistent requests from endowments and tourism engineers for the annual Chandanotsavam. During its 10-hour inquiry, the committee initially observed that the wall's construction violated the master plan and lacked necessary permissions. It may be noted that seven devotees lost their lives and one person was injured when the wall collapsed early on Wednesday during Chandanotsavam, following heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds. The committee, comprising MA&UD principal secretary Suresh Kumar, irrigation department engineer-in-chief Venkateswara Rao, and IG rank IPS officer Ake Ravikrishna, inspected the site and found that the wall's construction violated the master plan and lacked necessary permissions. The renovation of the temple under the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) scheme, contracted to M/s K Ananta Rao and Co Company, remains incomplete despite a May 2024 deadline. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like How can a 3-month-old get cancer? Please help! Give Hope India Donate Now Undo The committee expressed displeasure towards the temple's executive officer Subba Rao, executive engineer Srinivasa Raju, and tourism department engineer. During the probe, the contractor, Lakshman Rao, stated that both departments requested a temporary wall for queue management. While the engineers claimed non-involvement in the construction work, the contractor disclosed their presence from the second day of the four-day construction period. The committee investigated whether officials followed proper documentation, including notes, work orders, and meeting minutes. They also enquired about the implementation of the recommendations made by the PRASAD scheme committee. Suresh Kumar informed the media about their decision to re-examine the incident. He noted the retaining wall's collapse appeared to be linked to structural quality issues. "We will focus on works in the temple, whether they were constructed by following the master plan or not. We will submit a preliminary report based on the inquiry to the govt. A comprehensive report with failures and loopholes will be submitted in 30 days. We will inquire about the people involved in the works," he said.
New Indian Express
01-05-2025
- New Indian Express
Andhra temple wall collapse: Construction done in haste for Chandanotsavam, sources say
VISAKHAPATNAM: The tragic incident at the Simhachalam temple during the annual Chandanotsavam on Wednesday, has sparked widespread public anger and criticism. A The wall, reportedly built just five days prior to the annual festival, gave way following a spell of moderate rain. Thousands of devotees had gathered at the hilltop temple for 'Nijaroopa Darshanam' of Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy. Families of the victims and eyewitnesses alleged serious negligence in the construction, and oversight of festival arrangements. The structure was part of the ongoing PRASAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive) Scheme, for which the Ministry of Tourism had sanctioned `54.04 crore in December 2022 for development works at Simhachalam Devasthanam. The project is being executed by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation. Tourism Regional Director Subramanyam confirmed that tenders had been called for the works by the Tourism Department, but declined to disclose the contractor's name. However, sources claimed that the contract was awarded to a firm named K Anantha Rao and Co, based in Srikakulam. 'The wall in question was reportedly constructed in haste five days ago, and was asked to be completed before Chandanotsavam,' sources claimed. Outside the King George Hospital mortuary in Visakhapatnam, grieving families of the victims demanded accountability from politicians, officials, and the temple authorities. 'This was not a case of torrential rain. Water runoff from the hilltop seems to have undermined the weak foundation of the wall,' family members of the deceased alleged. 'We demand permanent government jobs, not outsourcing, and `1 crore ex gratia for each victim. The government cannot brush off its negligence with mere announcements,' they said. They further questioned the role of ministers who were reportedly assigned to oversee Chandanotsavam arrangements. 'How did they miss inspecting a newly constructed wall? What kind of oversight was this?' asked devotees waiting in the queue after the untoward incident. Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha, who was at the site since morning, told the media, 'I have personally inspected the queue lines two to three days ago. The incident is extremely unfortunate. An inquiry will be conducted to identify the contractor, engineer, and quality evaluator involved in the wall construction. All those responsible will be held accountable.' Anitha stated that despite all precautions taken by the temple authorities, the tragedy still occurred. 'A three-member committee has already been formed to probe the reasons behind the accident. Once the committee submits its report, legal action will be taken against those found responsible for negligence,' she added.
