Centre releases ₹113.751 crore for tourism in AP: Durgesh

Vijayawada:Tourism minister Kandula Durgesh on Wednesday announced that the centre has issued orders releasing the first instalment of ₹113.751 crore, accounting for 66 per cent of total funds sanctioned under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment scheme.

Durgesh announced plans to use these funds for developing key tourist attractions like Akhanda Godavari and Gandikota, apart from building infrastructure and facilities to attract tourists.

Expressing gratitude, he thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, union tourism minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan for their support.

The minister said an action plan for developing temple, adventure, heritage and ecotourism is underway. “The vision of Deputy CM to develop Gandikota as the Indian Grand Canyon will be actualised,” he declared.

Durgesh asserted that with centre’s cooperation, Andhra Pradesh will turn into a leading state in tourism over the next five years.