TS Govt losing tourism revenue at Sagar
NALGONDA: Having no means of ferrying tourists to the Nagarjuna Sagar waters in a launch (motor boat), the Telanagana government is losing revenue as tourists are being forced to drive into the neighbouring AP state to take a launch for a joyride.
Tourists visiting the Nagarjuna Sagar dam make it a point to visit Nandikonda hill spot and they have to take a launch to reach there. The dam is on Krishna river between Nalgonda (Telangana) and Krishna (AP) districts and Nandikonda is in Andhra on the other side of the river.
Tourists visiting the place have to drive nearly 10 km on the Macherla road to reach the launch facility on the AP side and take a launch for a joyride or to reach Nandikonda.
The Nagarjuna Sagar reservoir, when maintained at the full level of 590 feet in August/September, attract more number of tourists from Telangana who visit Nandikonda by motor boat.
'At present, the launch station is located on the Nagarjunsagar right bank which falls in Andhra Pradesh. We are forced to drive all the way on the Macherla road to take the launch,' rued a tourist, G Tirumal of Maal in Nalgonda district.
This extra drive can be avoided if the Telangana government starts a launch station at the hill colony down the park, an official said, adding it would fetch revenue to the government.
According to officials, the present launch station in Andhra on the right bank of the Krishna earned a revenue of Rs 24 lakh in September and the tourist rush is continuing even in November. Officials estimate the revenue from the launch cruise to the AP government might be above Rs 40 lakh in October and November.
An official of Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation, on condition of anonymity, said they had sent proposals to the government four months ago for establishment of a launch station at Hill Colony down the park area. However, they are yet to get any response from the government.
The tourism officials have received approval from irrigation officials, who maintain the dam, to set up the station for launch service.
Currently, five launches are running from the station on the right bank and according to rules, there is a possibility that the Telangana state will get two launches as its share.
News Posted: 1 December, 2014
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