more-in INS Viraat, the pet project of Andhra Pradesh, will be kept in Visakhapatnam. It will complete the naval tourism circuit along with TU 142 museum and Kursuru Submarine museum, according to Tourism Minister Bhuma Akhila Priya. Speaking to The Hindu on the sidelines of the panel discussion on tourism on the first day of the CII Partnership Summit, she said: “INS Viraat is the pet project of A.P. and will give a huge boost to Visakhapatnam’s tourism. An estimated cost of ?800 crore is required for the project. The Detailed Project Report is ready and we will be approaching the Union government for funds. We have kept all options open which include exploring PPP mode and getting a loan since this is the most prestigious project for the State.” The State government intends to convert the Centaur-class carrier, which spent 30 years in the Indian Navy and 27 years in the Royal Navy, into a museum and a hotel in the sea. “The State government is also planning to set up a state-of-the-art virtual reality gaming hub near the TU 142 aircraft museum. This will be one of the most interesting projects of the State. We have called for tenders to develop the gaming hub that will come up at a cost of ?60 crore,” Ms. Akhila Priya said. Marquee projects Sharing details on the six marquee projects of A.P. Tourism, she said the Madhurawada project would include a five star hotel, convention centres and amusement park to be developed in 250 acres. “The DPR is completed and many investors have shown interest to be part of the project,” she said. The Union government has sanctioned ?60 crore for Kakinada Hope Island under the Swadesh Darshan scheme for developing infrastructure and facilities for domestic and international tourists. “Work has picked up pace there and it will be completed soon,” she added. DPR has also been prepared for the Havelock “The DPR to develop the over 100-year-old bridge over the Godavari river, popularly known as Havelock bridge, for transforming it into a major tourist attraction, is also being prepared.” “Our focus will be to weed out non-serious investors. However, 90% of investors are showing interest in Visakhapatnam and Amaravatis,” Ms. Akhila Priya said.

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