₹207 crore infusion fuels Andhra Pradesh’s tourism push

During a recent Lok Sabha session, Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat told MPs that the central government has earmarked a fresh ₹207 crore for tourism‑related projects in Andhra Pradesh. The money comes from two flagship programmes – the revamped Swadesh Darshan 2.0 and the PRASHAD (National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive) scheme.

Across the country, the two schemes have already cleared 53 projects worth a whopping ₹2,207.08 crore under Swadesh Darshan 2.0, and 54 projects totalling ₹1,726.74 crore under PRASHAD. Andhra Pradesh’s share, however, is a tidy ₹127.40 crore from Swadesh Darshan 2.0 and ₹79.37 crore from PRASHAD.

The flagship beach initiative – the Suryalanka Beach development – was approved on 29 March 2025. Out of the total ₹97.52 crore, the centre has already released ₹48.76 crore. Work is underway on an arrival plaza, a shopping street, parking bays, a canal‑experience zone and the essential beachfront infrastructure. The aim, Minister Shekhawat said, is to turn the stretch into a modern, visitor‑friendly coastal hub.

In the hill‑country, the Araku–Lambasingi–Borra Caves project received the green light on 5 March 2024, with a sanctioned cost of ₹29.88 crore, half of which – ₹14.94 crore – has been released for immediate spending. The plan includes a new entrance to the famed Borra Caves, a visitor centre, upgraded lighting, parking facilities and a market street, all intended to boost eco‑tourism while preserving the fragile environment.

On the pilgrimage front, the PRASHAD allocation includes ₹54.04 crore for the Simhachalam Devasthanam in Visakhapatnam. Of this, ₹27.37 crore is earmarked for improving pilgrim amenities – better shelters, waste‑management systems and sanitation – to make the holy site more comfortable for the millions who visit each year.

Shekhawat concluded by emphasizing that these investments are not just about bricks and mortar. “They are about creating livelihoods, encouraging sustainable tourism and showcasing the rich cultural tapestry of Andhra Pradesh,” he said, adding that the projects are expected to generate employment and spur ancillary businesses in the region.