Four places in Anakapalli district to be developed as world-class tourist destinations

A photoshoot in progress at a natural rock formation near Seethapalem beach at Pudimadaka, 40 km from Visakhapatnam. This location is one of the four places identified for an infrastructure upgrade.
| Photo Credit: File photo

If all goes as planned, four tourist sites in the district will be developed to attract domestic and international tourists in the new financial year 2025-26.

The Anakapalli district administration is planning to develop Bojjannakonda (Buddhist site), Devipuram (unique temple), Seethapalem beach and Thantadi beach as part of the programme. Currently, discussions are under way with stakeholders and an effective plan of action is expected to be finalised by March.

Meanwhile, stakeholders are in the process of identifying possible funding sources, such as industries through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) scheme.

Speaking to The Hindu on Wednesday (January 1), Anakapalli Collector Vijaya Krishnan, who outlined her tentative ideas for the development of the four aforementioned tourist places, said that a first meeting has been held with hotel managements and tour operators to take stock of the current status and initiate plans accordingly.

“Since the current financial year is coming to an end in three months, there is no need to urgently commence the work. However, we are holding regular meetings to draw up a strategy on how to develop the sites,” she said.

“We have selected these four locations for development from 2025-26 because of their popularity. Currently, people visiting these locations are mostly locals, but we need to attract people from other States as well as foreigners. We have a unique beach called Seethapalem, which resembles Bali beach in Indonesia. It can be developed to attract foreigners. Similarly, the Devipuram temple is also known for its uniqueness. We will hold the next meeting in March to finalise the plan and start the work from April, 2025. For funds, we can rely on CSR of various corporate bodies,” Ms. Vijaya Krishnan said.

Thantadi beach in the Bay of Bengal is already a popular location for film shoots.

“We have these two picturesque beaches, but the problem is that there is no infrastructure like proper washrooms, eateries or street lights. People have to return before sunset. So, if some infrastructure is developed, and if we can provide accommodation along with the development of resorts, these tourist spots will become jewels for the district and we can also divert the flow of tourism away from Visakhapatnam city which is already saturated,” Ms. Vijaya Krishnan said.