Kakinada, Feb 9 (TNT): The Central government has assured adequate funding and cooperation for the development of beach and coastal tourism projects in Andhra Pradesh, Union Minister for Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat informed Parliament.
In a written reply to a question raised by Kakinada MP Thangella Uday Srinivas on Monday, the Union Minister said that funds are being sanctioned to various states, including Andhra Pradesh, under key tourism development schemes such as Swadesh Darshan, SASCI and CBDD.
Detailing the assistance extended to Andhra Pradesh, the Union Minister stated that under the Swadesh Darshan 1.0 scheme, an amount of ₹67.83 crore was sanctioned for tourism projects covering Hope Island in Kakinada, Koringa and the Kotipalli circuit.
He added that the funds were fully utilised and the projects have become completely operational.
Similarly, under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme, ₹97.52 crore was sanctioned for the development of the Surya Lanka Beach project, Shekhawat noted that tourism initiatives in Andhra Pradesh have yielded positive results, leading to a significant increase in tourist inflow.
According to the data shared, as many as 2,62,431 foreign tourists visited Andhra Pradesh since 2024, accounting for 1.25 per cent of the total tourist traffic in the country.
Releasing the details through his office here, MP Uday Srinivas said that the Union Minister assured him of full cooperation from the Centre for the further development of tourism in Andhra Pradesh.
TNT TMR
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