Date:26/02/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/02/26/stories/2005022602811900.htm

Back Houseboat cruises from Sunday

K.V. Kurmanath

Hyderabad , Feb. 25

TAKING a cue from Kerala, Andhra Pradesh Tourism is launching a 24-hour houseboat cruise on the Godavari river at Konaseema from February 27.

The Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation will launch four houseboats made at a cost of Rs 80 lakh. The total project costs Rs 1.3 crore.

The cruiser sets sail at 10 a.m. and travels along Vynateyam and Vasishta, the two tributaries of Godavari.

Each houseboat comprises two fully furnished rooms and a sit-out-cum-dining area on the deck. The package costs Rs 2,500 a couple. Every additional guest will be charged Rs 300. Children below the age of five can accompany their parents free of cost. "We will offer special packages on bulk bookings," an official said.

Food will be offered on board. The corporation will deploy trained attendants on board to help the tourists.

The boat will drop anchor at Sivakodilanka for the night, before resuming early in the morning.

The Andhra Chief Ministers, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, will inaugurate the cruise on Sunday.

"We are going to promote the concept to corporates and other group bookings," Mr T.V.N. Rao, Director (Eco Tourism), told Business Line.

To popularise the service, the corporation plans to organise familiarisation tours, taking corporate representatives along Konaseema.

The corporation had a soft launch late last year. "The response has been immense," Mr Rao said.

The corporation will also construct a resort at Dindi at a cost of Rs 3 crore. The Chief Minister will lay a foundation stone for the resort. "We hope to complete it by the year," he said.