Andhra Pradesh Tourism Minister Kandulla Durgesh presided over the opening ceremony of a new floating restaurant on Bridge Lanka Island in the Raja Mondrigoda Wari River on Sunday. The restaurant, franchised by Ahwanam Kitchens, is located amidst a scenic river and Kadiam Nursery, and nature lovers can take a short boat ride from the riverbank to reach it.
During the event, Minister Durgesh announced plans for infrastructure development on the banks of the Godavari River through cooperation between the government and the private sector. The aim is to extend the stay of tourists and improve the tourism industry in the state. The minister stressed that the state government is developing a five-year long-term strategy to boost tourism in Andhra Pradesh, focusing on eco-tourism, adventure tourism, health retreats, and temple tourism, with support from the Cabinet Subcommittee whose members come from the donation, forestry, medical, and tourism sectors.
Despite the numerous attractions in the state, tourism is lagging behind at the moment. The minister expressed regret that Andhra Pradesh has an abundance of tourist attractions but has not yet received the same recognition as states such as Kerala. To bridge this gap, the government is committed to sustainable and inclusive tourism projects that will attract domestic and foreign tourists and allow them to experience the region’s diverse natural beauty and cultural heritage.
Minister Durgesh also highlighted the potential for Vizag Bang to become a major hub for the film industry. He noted that Vizag Bang is particularly suitable for film production and expects this move to attract more filmmakers, support the growth of the entertainment industry, and add vibrancy to the state’s tourism industry.