Lok Sabha Question No. 4575 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-22
Subject: Development of Hope Island in Andhra Pradesh
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Geetha Viswanath Vanga

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4575 ANSWERED ON 22.07.2019

## DEVELOPMENT OF HOPE ISLAND IN ANDHRA PRADESH

## 4575. SHRIMATI VANGA GEETHA VISWANATH:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to develop Hope Island in Kakinada, East Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh, Konaseema  Circuit and Akhand Godavari  under  PRASAD scheme,  Coastal  tourism development  circuits in Nellore District,  setting  up  of  restaurants  with  7,  5  &  3  star  hotels around Polavaram Projects to attract tourists;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and present status of each project in Andhra Pradesh;
- (c) the  funds  released/spent  on  each  said  project  in  Andhra Pradesh; and
- (d) the reasons for snail's pace of work on the Hope Island Circuit in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

(a) to (d): The  Ministry  of  Tourism,  under  the  Swadesh  Darshan Scheme provides Central Financial Assistance to State Governments/Union Territory (UT) Administrations for development of  thematic  tourist  circuits  in  the  country,  with  the  objective  of improving connectivity and infrastructure of tourism destinations to enrich overall tourist experience, enhance livelihood and employment  opportunities  and  to  attract  domestic  as  well  as foreign tourists to the destinations.

The  projects  for  development  are  identified  in  consultation with the State Governments/UT Administrations and are sanctioned subject  to  submission  of  project  proposals,  their  adherence  to relevant scheme guidelines, submission of suitable detailed project reports, availability of funds and utilization of funds released earlier. Based  on  the  above,  the  Ministry  has  sanctioned  the  following projects to the State of Andhra Pradesh -

(Rs. in crore)

| S. No.   | Circuit/ Sanction Year     | Project Name                                                                               |   Amt. Sanctioned |   Amt. Released |
|----------|----------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------|-----------------|
| 1        | Coastal Circuit (2014-15)  | Development of Kakinada Hope Island Konaseema as World Class Coastal & Eco Tourism Circuit |             67.84 |           64.44 |
| 2.       | Coastal Circuit (2015-16)  | Development of Coastal Tourism Circuit in Sri Potti Sriramalu Nellore                      |             59.7  |           47.76 |
| 3.       | Buddhist Circuit (2017-18) | Development of Shalihundam- Thotlakonda- Bavikonda- Bojjanakonda- Amravati- Anupu          |             52.34 |           10.47 |
| Total    | Total                      | Total                                                                                      |            179.88 |          122.67 |

The components sanctioned under the projects include Buddhist Cultural Centre, Water Front Promenade, SEL/Laser shows, Water Fountain, Approach Roads, Tourist Facilitation/Reception/Interpretation/Amenities Centres, Seating Plazas  and  Lounges,  Solar  Lighting,  Jetties,  Information  signages, Illumination,  CCTV  surveillance  equipment  and  WiFi  facilities  etc. among  other  basic  tourist  amenities  like  Drinking  water  kiosks, Public conveniences etc.

All the above projects are at various stages of implementation/completion. The project 'Development of Kakinada Hope  Island  Konaseema  as  World  Class  Coastal  &  Eco  Tourism Circuit'  sanctioned  in  the  year  2014-15  has  attained  physical completion and the last installment of funds will be released after monitoring Operation & Maintenance of the site for one year.

******