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Unfinished Ventures Hold Back City’s Tourism Potential

Visakhapatnam, a city with immense tourism potential, has several projects that remain incomplete, awaiting the attention of the new government.

Despite the availability of resources, many initiatives started in the last five years have not reached fruition, stalling the growth of the tourism sector in the region.

One such example is the MV Maa, an abandoned ship near Tenneti Park, which was planned to be transformed into a floating restaurant.

The project, initiated in 2021 under the supervision of the then Tourism Minister M. Srinivasa Rao, was slated to open to the public by January 1, 2022. However, it remains unfinished, with the site now serving as a shooting location for weddings and films.

The government had also envisioned the development of beachfront arenas at seven beaches in Visakhapatnam. These arenas were to include shacks, parking, toilets, washrooms, and play areas. Yet, the project has seen no significant progress.

A senior official from the Tourism Department commented, “Initially, in the first two years, there was no scope for taking up any work due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, gradually, tourism activities picked up with the support of other departments.”

The G-20 Summit in 2023 brought a much-needed boost to the city. Significant renovations were made to the Beach Road stretch, including new roads and viewpoints. Local beaches such as Jodugullapalem and Sagar Nagar, long neglected, received a facelift from the municipal corporation.

In a bid to further develop beachfronts, the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has launched several initiatives.

These include an eco-friendly turtle theme-based arena at Sagar Nagar Beach, a yoga and meditation theme-based arena near the ISKCON temple, and a sports beach near Jodugullapalem. These projects are expected to gain momentum in the coming months.

Additionally, the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) introduced a floating bridge project at RK Beach. However, it faced criticism due to operational issues shortly after its inauguration.

Officials have labeled it a trial run, and the future of the project remains uncertain under the new government. Similarly, the proposal for a sky-walk glass bridge on Kailasagiri is still in its early stages.

While parks such as Tenneti Park, Shivaji Park, and Lumbini Park have been revitalized by the VMRDA and GVMC, others, including the expansive Mudasarlova Park, require further attention. The scenic Yarada and Appikonda Beaches have also been overlooked.

In recent years, the government has not organized annual tourism festivals like 'Visakha Utsav' and 'Bheemili Utsav,' which have the potential to attract both domestic and international tourists. A senior official from the A.P.

Tourism Development Corporation expressed optimism, stating, “Since it was the TDP government which encouraged such utsavs during the period 2014-19, we are hopeful that they will be organized again.”

As the new government steps in, there is widespread hope among officials and residents that these stalled projects will finally be completed, propelling Visakhapatnam to the forefront of Indian tourism.

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