Rajahmundry, Jun 26 (UNI) Union Minister for Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said on Thursday that the Indian tourism landscape is being reshaped and the country will offer a complete tourism experience across all segments.

Shekhawat, flanked by Deputy Chief Minister K Pawan Kalyan, MP D Purandeswari and Minister K Durgesh and N Ramanaidu, laid the foundation stone for the ‘Akhanda Godavari’ project here today. The ‘Akhanda Godavari’ tourism project is being constructed at a cost of Rs 99.44 crore.

Speaking on the occasion, the tourism minister noted that India moved up to the 39th position from 54 in world travel and tourism index in three years. "India has become the most sought tourist destination in the world. India is now offering Medical tourism and adventure tourism and also offers a complete tourism eco system. The vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is holistic, inclusive and futuristic,” he asserted.

The Union Minister highlighted that the 'Akhanda Godavari' tourism project was taken up at a cost of about Rs 95 crore. This initiative is to create a comprehensive and riverfront experience anchored around Havelock Bridge, across the river Godavari and Pushkar ghat.

“The nearly 125 year old Havelock Bridge, across the river Godavari here, is being developed as a multi-functional tourist hub by setting up theme parks. The tourists can walk on the bridge across the river Godavari. The Akhanda Godavari tourist project will become an icon in Indian tourism,” he stated, adding that the Akhanda Godavari project, after its completion, will attract 15 lakh to 20 lakh tourists annually and it will also generate direct employment for about a 1000 people. Buddhist circuits and coastal eco-tourism is also coming up in AP under the PPP model, he affirmed.

Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat noted that Rs 450 crore had been sanctioned to various tourism projects in AP. Under the spiritual tourism development, the Simhachalam and Annavaram temples would be developed under the PRASAD scheme, he said and recalled that the Amaravati and Srisailam temples had already been developed under the PRASAD scheme.

The Minister explained that tourism contributed 10 percent to the world economy in 2023 and in India the tourism contributed six percent to the country’s economy, adding that 20 million internal tourists are expected to visit India this year. "India is becoming the most sought after tourist destination in the world," he observed.

Deputy Chief Minister K Pawan Kalyan hoped that if the Akhanda Godavari tourist project was completed, it would create thousands of jobs “If all the tourist projects in the State are completed, they will create thousands of jobs,” he said and explained why the state needed the double engine government.

MP and BJP state president D Purandeswari and AP Tourism minister K Durgesh were also present on the occasion.

UNI DP RKM