AP Govt to develop ‘Bay City Project’ from Kailasagiri to Bhogapuram, Calls for Tourism-Led Growth in Visakha Region
Visakhapatnam, June 5 (TNT): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Friday directed officials to prepare a comprehensive action plan to transform Visakhapatnam into a world-class Bay City and accelerate tourism and economic development across the Visakha Economic Region (VER).
Chairing a high-level review meeting attended by Collectors of nine districts, public representatives and senior officials here, the Chief Minister outlined an ambitious roadmap for infrastructure, tourism and investment promotion in the region.
Naidu instructed officials to develop a ‘Bay City Project’ stretching from Kailasagiri to Bhogapuram and proposed the establishment of a dedicated Project Monitoring Unit (PMU) for the Visakha Economic Region to ensure effective coordination and timely implementation of projects.
The Chief Minister also directed officials to construct a Convention Centre on 303 acres of land belonging to the Greyhounds department and emphasised the need to develop Kailasagiri into a major spiritual and tourism destination.
To enhance Visakhapatnam’s tourism appeal, he called for attracting investments in beach-based recreational activities, including water sports and entertainment facilities, aimed at providing world-class experiences for visitors of all age groups.
Naidu further instructed officials to modernise the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park and strengthen its position as a major tourist attraction.
He stressed the importance of promoting unique tourism assets such as the Erra Matti Dibbalu and the region’s rich Buddhist heritage sites.
Highlighting the tourism potential of the Godavari belt, the Chief Minister said projects such as the proposed Akhanda Godavari initiative in Rajamahendravaram, along with Polavaram Project and Papikondalu, could emerge as major attractions capable of drawing large-scale tourism investments.
He also directed officials to focus on developing integrated townships near emerging industrial corridors and project zones to support future economic growth and urban expansion.
In a move aimed at encouraging public participation, Naidu suggested placing the NITI Aayog report on the Visakha Economic Region in the public domain and inviting suggestions from students, intellectuals, industry experts and other stakeholders to enrich the region’s development vision.
The review meeting was attended by Union Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Ministers K. Atchannaidu and Dola Sree Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy, MLAs, Collectors from nine districts spanning Srikakulam to East Godavari, VER Convener and Industries Secretary Yuvaraj, Special Chief Secretary M.T. Krishna Babu, Principal Secretaries Saurabh Gaur and Piyush Kumar, IT Secretary Katamneni Bhaskar and Visakhapatnam District Collector Abhishikt Kishore.
The Chief Minister said the proposed initiatives would position Visakhapatnam and the wider Visakha Economic Region as a major hub for tourism, investment and sustainable economic growth in the coming years.
TNT KM
