Tourism sector to get a boost in Chittoor district

Tirupati: To provide a major boost to the tourism sector in Chittoor district, the tourism department of AP has formulated plans to develop tourism circuits in the district by making use of its several natural attractions and advantages.

As part of the formulated plan, a tourism circuit will be soon coming up around Kuppam constituency, which is Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s home turf.

The proposed tourism circuit is aimed to connect various destinations in the district, which have a location advantage such as the tri-state Kuppam junction.

The proposed destinations are 1000-year-old Kangundi fort near Kuppam, ancient temples of Lord Malleswara Swami and Lord Muruga, situated atop Mallappa Konda hillock in Gudupalle mandal and Gudivanka of Gudipala mandal respectively, eco-tourism project at Naniyala elephant rehabilitation center near Ramakuppam mandal.

Speaking to DC, district tourism officer Mr D. V. Chandramouli Reddy said that under the tourism circuit, they first plan to regain the past glory of the historic Kangundi fort by taking up massive reconstruction works like erecting railings for safety, repairs, and restructuring of the steps, resting places on the hilltop for people to have a bird view of the forest area below.

 "For this, the government has sanctioned `2 crore and works are going on a brisk pace. In addition, as the fort and the hill area are full of marvelous constructions and rare rock formations, we have chalked out a plan to build two glass lifts for the tourists," he added.

In a recent development, the government approved proposals for the construction of lifts and gave the administrative sanction of `4 crores, but works are paused for a while as the fort is a  protected monument.

"We are discussing with officials of the Archaeology Survey of India (ASI). After getting necessary approvals we will start the works," Mr. Reddy said. Meanwhile, Rs 30 lakh construction works like Pongal sheds and toilet blocks at Mallappa Konda and Gudivanka are already taken up and almost completed.

The eco-tourism project at Naniyala elephant rehabilitation center of Ramakuppam Mandal is nearing completion. "The `2 crores worth phase one development works were undertaken by the forest department through the Vana Samrakhana Samithis and are expected to be completed by December end.

The project also got another administrative sanction of Rs 4 crores for phase 2 works, which will be soon grounded, Mr. Reddy said.

Under the project, it is proposed to take up a deer park, bird enclosure, 10 jungle huts, environmental education center, watchtowers and e-convention centre for 600 people.