Efforts to transform the abandoned Bangladeshi cargo ship MV Maa into a floating restaurant near Tenneti Park in Vizag face prolonged delays, raising doubts about its realization before the upcoming tourism season.

The AP Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC), initially optimistic about a December 2023 launch, now anticipates further setbacks in the project timeline.

The cargo ship, stranded near Tenneti Park since October 13, 2020, encountered unfavorable weather conditions, leading to its grounding.

Despite plans for its conversion into a floating restaurant, progress has been sluggish. Gill Marines, a Vizag-based firm, acquired the ship from insurer PNI Club (North of England) for 1.25 crore.

Former tourism minister M Srinivasa Rao had envisioned the ship's transformation into a major tourist attraction by July 2022.

However, the process faced complications, and in March 2023, an MoU was signed with Shore and Ship Resort Pvt Ltd (SSRPL) during the Global Investors’ Summit in Vizag. The agreement outlined SSRPL's 30 crore investment for a shore and ship resort, generating employment for 100 to 200 individuals.

While APTDC secured permission from the forest department to use forest land for the project, pending Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance remains a hurdle.

SSRPL's Surender Singh Gill is hopeful, stating that a November meeting could lead to CRZ clearance, with an estimated two months required for project completion post-clearance. If all goes well, the floating restaurant could become a reality by February 2024.

Critics, however, express disappointment, citing the rusting state of the abandoned ship and the untapped potential by AP tourism. Visitors like Soumendraprakash Ray from Bhubaneswar question the delay, especially considering Odisha's successful launch of its luxury houseboat, Garuda, in Chilika Lake back in June 2022.

As Vizag's floating restaurant project faces hurdles, it remains to be seen whether it can match the success of similar ventures in neighboring regions.

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