The Hindu : Steps afoot to further beautify Araku

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 28, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

Steps afoot to further beautify Araku

By Our Staff Reporter

ARAKU VALLEY (VISAKHAPATNAM) APRIL 27. The lush-green and enchanting valley here is fast transforming into `Ooty of Andhra Pradesh' with the Government setting in motion several projects for beautifying it further.

The Tourism Department has finalised a blueprint as per the recommendation of the New Delhi-based architect, Ujjain Ghosh. A beautifully-landscaped entrance zone with welcome arches, park avenue, market place, temple square and a chain of food courts are planned in this valley town at a cost of Rs. 4 crores.

As part of the first phase, Rs. 1 crore has been released to the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) with which the latter has constructed 10 huts resembling the traditional girijan habitations in front of the Punnami Yatri Nivas. The huts with modern amenities have been allotted to the local girijans to manage on their own and contribute a part of the earning to the ITDA for maintenance.

Besides Araku, the Tourism Department in coordination with the ITDA is also developing the Padmapuram Gardens, tribal museum, Chaaparai, million-year-old Borra Caves and other tourist attractions in and around Araku.

With the integrated development of Araku achieved in three years and the upgradation of the accommodation of the hill resort by the AP Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC), it will turn into a paradise for low-budget tourists and leisure tourism, the District Tourism Officer, D. Panduranga Rao, told a team of Visakhapatnam-based reporters.

The Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, will inaugurate the facilities created recently at the Punnami Valley Resort at a cost of Rs. 3.5 crores sometime next month.

The new facilities include 40 suite rooms (12 AC and 28 non-AC), an AC conference hall for 200 persons, swimming pool, health club with herbal treatments and gym, poolside bar, recreation centre and a skating rink.

Mr. Naidu will also inaugurate the Craft Centre and other facilities which include in-house training for the girijans on various art forms. Bow and arrow, various musical instruments and other items will be sold at the Craft Centre. Ten rooms are constructed with all modern facilities at a cost of Rs. 25 lakhs.

``Besides developing Araku, we have also upgraded facilities at Borra Caves by spending Rs. 50 lakhs and converting the Roads and Building Guest House at Ananthagiri into a beer parlour-cum-restaurant at a cost of Rs. 20 lakhs,'' the APTDC Divisional Manager, P.G.S. Sai, said.

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