Neglected tourist gems of Anakapalli await revivalCoalition government has shifted focus towards pending tourism projects in district

After years of neglect, Anakapalli district is gearing up for tourism resurgence, thanks to the newly-formed coalition government. The district, renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty, suffered severely under the previous YSRCP rule, with little to no growth in the tourism sector despite grand promises.
The coalition government, which took office three and a half months ago, has shifted its focus towards pending tourism projects in the district. “Tourism is a key area for the district’s economic and cultural revival,” said a government spokesperson. “We are determined to bring these ignored projects to completion.”
One of the key areas neglected under the previous government is Kondakarla Ava, a site of lush green hills and a freshwater lake that was once a thriving habitat for various bird species. Despite promises to develop the area, nothing materialised. “Kondakarla Ava is shrinking due to encroachment and mismanagement. The lake, once a wintering ground for Siberian birds, has lost its allure,” said a local environmentalist. Boating services that once attracted tourists have dwindled, and visitors now rely on fishermen’s boats for lake tours. “The previous administration failed to develop this eco-sensitive zone,” another local resident added.
However, there is renewed hope. The coalition government has instructed officials from the district’s forest, fisheries, and tourism departments to create a plan for developing Kondakarla Ava as an eco-tourism hub. “The lake has immense potential, and with proper planning, we can restore its glory,” said a district official involved in the project.
Another untapped treasure is the district’s coastline, stretching from Paravada mandal to Payakaraopeta mandal. Every Sunday, particularly during Kartika month, crowds flock to these beaches, but facilities are scarce. Locations like Tantadi Beach, often used for film shoots, lack basic amenities. “We come here for shoots, but the lack of accommodations is a major hurdle. We have to travel all the way to Visakhapatnam or Anakapalli to find a place to stay,” said a film technician.
Revupolavaram, another coastal gem in S. Rayavaram mandal, attracts tourists for its pleasant climate, yet basic infrastructure remains absent. “In 2018, the TDP government proposed developing the Pudimadaka coast, but after YCP came to power, those plans were shelved,” a tourism official said.
The coalition government, however, plans to change that. “We have identified several coastal areas—Muthyalammapalem, Tantadi, Pudimadaka, Sitapalam, and Revupolavaram—as prime locations for development,” said the official. “These beaches have the potential to become major tourist attractions if the right infrastructure is put in place.”
Meanwhile, Bojjannakonda, a prominent Buddhist site near Sankaram village, continues to attract tourists, but it too was neglected by the previous government. “There was no proper road leading to the site until last year,” said a local historian. With funding from the Central government, a road was recently constructed, and additional facilities like a meditation center and a laser show theater, worth Rs. 2.5 crore, have been completed. On Friday, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu virtually inaugurated these developments in celebration of World Tourism Day.
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