Rs 1,021 cr Vizag Beach Corridor receives state govt approval

The Council of Ministers AP has given its nod for numerous development projects including the Vizag Beach Corridor project at a cost of Rs 1,021 crore. Special Chief Secretary of Tourism and Culture, Rajat Bhargava revealed details regarding the new development projects to the media. The Vizag Beach Corridor, which connects the town of Bheemili with the upcoming Bhogapuram International Airport, has a total cost of Rs 10.21 billion, and is set to design vibrant and thriving new avenues, he said. The project envisions Vizag as a hospitality district with world-class accommodation facilities -- beach resorts and hotels for visitors, amusement parks, eco-tourism, swimming pools, water sports avenues, food courts, shopping malls, fisheries, and many more. He added that the 19.66 km Bheemili-Bhogapuram stretch will be a six-lane access-controlled greenfield road expressway for friction-free movement. The immediate need to develop tourism in the city emerged after the declaration of Visakhapatnam as the state's Executive Capital by the Government of Andhra Pradesh. One of the oldest civic bodies in India, the Dutch-era monuments in Bheemili will be renewed and heritage tourism will be created through homestays, museums, experience centres etc. Apart from this, the government aims to develop 10 new beaches between Kailasagiri and Bhogapuram with safe swimming zones and beach sports. The project includes the construction of suspension bridges over the Gosthani river at two locations and the creation of urban recreation zones along the riverfront. Bhargava further said the government approval of seaplane terminals at Bheemili Beach and Bhogapuram Airport. The development of a Marina with a Jetty and passenger terminal at Bheemili Beach will boost cruise tourism. The project would have smart road elements like bicycle tracks of 2.2 m on each side, pedestrian walkways of 1.8 m on each side, high standard street furniture with landscaping, smart poles, LED streetlights, CCTV, public WiFi and sensors, utility crossings -- water, drainage, power and fibre, bus bays, auto bays, public bicycle stations and parking laybys for recreation. Image SourceAlso read: GMR inks pact to develop airport near Vizag Also read: Visakhapatnam Port Trust to develop cruise terminal