Concern over 'neglect' of tourist spots

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, MARCH 14. A lively discussion was witnessed in the Assembly on Wednesday on promotion of tourism with member after member extolling places of historical, architectural and religious interest in their respective constituencies and pleading with the Government to create ``infrastructure'' to attract tourists.

At times, the members played the role of tourist guides in narrating the virtues of veritable tourist spots in their areas but they were also critical of lack of even ``basic amenities'' for tourists.

Fresh from a visit to Berlin and other places abroad to study tourism promotion efforts, the Minister for Tourism Mr.E. Peddi Reddy, was quite enthusiastic in responding to the members. He admitted that nothing much was done in sell tourist spots in the State but promised that the stage was set to attract huge investments into this sector, ``which holds out the promise of creating one million jobs.''

Tourism projects, capable of attracting an investment of the order of Rs. 1,699 crores were identified in the six Special Tourism Areas (STAs). Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) involving an investment of Rs 355 crores were signed at the recent Partnership Summit in Hyderabad. The Government would let out projects worth Rs 600 crores in the next two months, the Minister explained.

International consultants had been appointed for conducting survey, preparing macro and micro-plans for development of STAs. The World Tourism Organisation had prepared master plan for development of Tourism in AP and the Government would play the role of a facilitator, he said.

But members, cutting across party lines, complained that the plans sounded grandiose but nothing much happened on the ground. They went on narrating the sorry state of tourist spots in their respective areas.

The issue figured in the House through a notice under Rule 304. Mrs P.Varalaxmi and Mrs Hymavathi of the TDP spoke of the tourism potential in North coastal Andhra with Vizag as centre while Mrs G.Kutuhalamma (Congress) underlined the need to promote religious tourism in Chittoor and adjoining areas.

Members from Karimnagar, the native district of the Minister, were sore that the area did not find a place for development in any of the STAs.

Dr.M.V. Mysoora Reddy (Congress) objected to handing over tourism projects involving huge investments through the MoU route without verifying the capabilities of the promoters. The website on the MoU did not have any details of the projects, he said.

Mr.G. Butchaiah Chowdary (TDP) wanted Compact Discs on tourism spots of the State liberally distributed abroad to attract international tourists.

``Monuments like Charminar and Qutub Shahi Tombs are decaying. When will you open Charminar for tourists?''

Mr. Asaduddin Owaisi of the MIM asked the Minister. ( A ban on tourists climbing the four minarets is in force for many years following an incident in which a man jumped to death from one of the minarets).

The Minister conceded that the historical Charminar was in a bad shape with plaster peeling off from the walls. The movement of vehicles around caused vibrations, threatening the monument. The plans include building bypass roads to avoid traffic around the structure, he explained.

Mr.K.R. Suresh Reddy regretted that no tangible results followed the visits of officials and also the Minister abroad on study tours. The promotional effort of existing monuments was minimal and visitors were not even given brochures at airports and railway stations, he said.

The Minister said the criticism was unjustified. The Government recognised tourism as one of the growth engines and the efforts of the last two years had evoked substantial response.

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