Andhra Pradesh

Berm Park, Bhavani Island spruced up for picnickers

VIJAYAWADA: The lawnmower moves swiftly pruning the green sheet of grass, while wipers go swish-swash cleaning every minute spot on windowpanes and the fleet of boats get a fresh coat.

The Haritha Berm Park at Bhavanipuram and the indispensable getaway that lies ahead, the picturesque Bhavani Island, are getting a quick face-lift a week before the beginning of Karthik Maasam, the time for fun-lovers to shun the daily grind and partake in the weekend picnics, traditionally called ‘Vanabhojanams’.

The entire staff of the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) here is gearing up to meet the additional demand of the festival rush.

The boats are being readied to ferry picnickers from the four different embarking points to the island resort in the midst of the Krishna.

“We have made elaborate arrangements for the 26 days when the park and the island become the favourite destinations for fun-lovers. Unlike in the past when people scouted for mango orchards on the city outskirts, they no more have to look beyond the island, which has all it takes for an exhilarating family get-together,” says APTDC Divisional Manager K.V. Venkateswara Rao.

Last year, during Karthik Maasam, the APTDC staff had to handle a crowd of 6,000 on a single day.

“We are expecting bigger crowds now because of the lush greenery ushered in by the recent rains.

Green surroundings are what attract picnickers the most,” says Mr. Rao.

The APTDC would open five additional counters at the island resort to serve food to the picnickers, who come in groups based on community, trade or any other profession. Additional cooks are being brought in to stimulate the taste buds of the visitors.

A cook to cater exclusively to the needs of communities like Jains and Agarwals, who are known to be strict vegetarians and insist on food that has no spicy material, is also being brought. The APTDC officials are open to advance booking of food, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian. Menus will be altered as per the tastes and needs of the guests.

To entertain the younger lot, equipment for adventure games like the spider web, the Burma Bridge, the sliding rope and the country swings have been repaired. Of the total revenue of Rs. 11 lakhs earned last year, Rs. 6 lakhs was on food alone. Mr. Rao says if need be, the three treetop cottages will be opened for public in addition to the 24 regular cottages.

The mood in the APTDC circles is upbeat, as three groups of holidaymakers from Hyderabad and another from Kolkata have already booked the cottages. “We are pinning our hopes on the local crowds, as they have never let us down,” says the hopeful manager.

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