‘Amaravati will be tourist spot’

Minister for Municipal Administration & Urban Development (MA & UD), Ponguru Narayana, has said d that the State government will proceed with developing Amaravati Capital as a prime tourism destination, featuring “blue-green projects” that incorporate extensive greenery and water bodies to create a vibrant environment. He highlighted plans to construct scenic reservoirs in Sakhamuru, Ananthavaram, and Neerukonda, which will serve as key attractions for tourists.
The minister, accompanied by Amaravati Development Corporation (ADC) Chairperson and Managing Director D. Lakshmi Parthasarathy, on Saturday visited the Venkatapalem Nursery and Sakhamuru Central Parks. CMD Lakshmi Parthasarathy provided detailed information about the diverse range of plants cultivated in these parks.
Minister Narayana addressed the media at Pragathi Resort in Sakhamuru Central Park, stating that the master plan for Amaravati was developed by experts from Norman Foster and Partners (London) and Singapore. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has crafted a Blue and Green Master Plan, focusing on creating an enhanced environment for Amaravati. Minister Narayana noted that construction work, which had previously been halted, is expected to resume on December 1.
He mentioned that the development of greenery projects in Amaravati has been assigned to Lakshmi Parthasarathy, a senior official known for her successful transformation of Hyderabad’s green spaces. Plans include constructing a 50-acre reservoir for boating in Sakhamuru Central Park, establishing a tourist centre, and preparing 500 acres of water lakes in Neerukonda. Additionally, a 20-30 metre wide buffer zone is being established along water projects such as Kondaveetiwagu and Palavagu Gravity Canal. Ananthavaram Park (35 acres) and Malkapuram Park (21 acres) in front of the State Secretariat will also be developed with various medicinal plants.
The minister also announced that a 360 km highway will be constructed by the ADC in Amaravati. The government is investing Rs 41,000 crores in essential infrastructure, including water lines, ICT, power, gas, stormwater drains, and irrigation systems. Of this, Rs 5,100 crores have been allocated for project construction under the TDP regime. He criticised the previous YSRCP government for neglecting Amaravati in favour of three capitals.  Current efforts include clearing jungles with a budget of Rs 36 crores, expected to be completed within a fortnight.
Additionally, IIT Madras and IIT Hyderabad will submit a field report to the state government in the first week of next month, detailing the structural integrity and technical aspects of the constructed projects.