Kurnool: Tourism minister Kandula Durgesh announced that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will lay the foundation stone for a major tourism development project at Gandikota in Kadapa district, popularly known as the Grand Canyon of India, on Friday.
The project, sanctioned under a central government scheme, is estimated to be implemented at a cost of 77.91 crore. The minister, along with AP Tourism Corporation managing director Amrapali Kata, visited Gandikota on Thursday and inspected various heritage sites, including Jumma Masjid, Madhavaraya Swamy and Ranganatha temples, Dhanyagaram, Pennaloya View Point, Errakoneru, Pavurala Gopuram, ammunition depot, jail, Ranga Mahal, and the ropeway point.
He said these attractions will be developed and linked through a visitor-friendly pathway. Durgesh said the CM will also virtually lay foundation stones for five other tourism projects worth ₹165 crore across the state. These include beautification and development of Borra Caves at a cost of ₹29.87 crore, a Buddhist Experience Centre and water sports facilities at Nagarjunasagar in Palnadu district involving an expenditure of ₹25 crore, and modernisation of Ahobilam Temple in Nandyal district using ₹25 crore. The tourism minister underlined that the Oberoi Group will set up a 5-star hotel near Gandikota. The CM will also lay the foundation stone for it.
Additionally, a new 116-room Lemon Tree Premier hotel will be built in Tirupati with an investment of ₹80 crore, creating 300 direct and 600 indirect jobs. He said MoUs worth ₹10,000 crore have recently been signed to boost tourism infrastructure under the PPP model. Those present included YSR Kadapa in-charge minister S. Savita and Jammalamadugu MLA Ch. Adinarayana Reddy.
