Vizag beaches to be beautified

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, May 29, 2014: If everything goes as per plan, with in two years, the face of the long beach road from RK Beach to Bheemili would get a facelift offering a fun ride to the visitors and also to the locals who wish to getaway from daily hectic schedules.

APTDC officials are waiting for the new state government to sworn in to immediately launch works under Vizag-Bheemili Beach Corridor Circuit Project that have been pending since for a while.

Though the then union tourism minister, K Chiranjeevi had laid foundation to the works related to the project in May last year, state bifurcation has cast a shadow on it.  Works came to a standstill due to pandemonium prevailed since last year due to the tremors of state bifurcation and then the general elections.

The tenders were only called for the beautification of RK beach and the bids were finalized. Works have been launched but moving on a snail’s pace.

“Though 9 nodes have been identified to develop between Bheemili and RK beach at an approximate length of 30km stretch, works for only RK Beach beautification has begun before the polls, but they are not moving on a brisk pace. We are expecting to speed up the works once the new state government is formed,” said APTDC, deputy engineer Satyanarayana.

Union government had sanctioned Rs 49 crs for the beach circuit project and identified Bheemili, Pavaralakonda, Mangamaripeta, Thotlakonda, Bavikonda, Rushikonda, near INS Kalinga, Kailasagiri and RK Beach to spruce up with the funds. Landscaping, lighting, plantation, parks, benches and kiosks would be set up at these sites as part of the tourism project.

Both the technical and financial tenders for RK beach project at a cost of Rs 8 cr has been already finalized and for Rushikonda technical bids has been cleared and financial tenders for Rs 4 crs has to be invited. APTDC officials are confident that all the works will be completed within 2 years if all the tenders are completed and other formalities are finished.