Efforts On To Develop Vizag As An Adventure Tourism Hub

Visakhapatnam: So far known for its beautiful beaches, valleys and Buddhists, Visakhapatnam will soon emerge as a hub for adventure lovers with the State government setting in motion efforts to promote adventure tourism.

Kailasagiri hill park, acclaimed by both domestic and international tourists for providing a breath-taking view of the city as well as the Bay of Bengal from atop the hillock, is now being developed as an adventure zone for fun and frolic, Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) Chairman MV Pranav Gopal told Bizz Buzz.

VMRDA, Andhra Pradesh's largest urban planning development body, has launched work on a 50-metre long glass skywalk bridge atop the hill, which is touted as India's largest. It is expected to become a big hit for those keen on uploading reels on social media and clicking selfies to share with their friends and relatives.

The work on the bridge has already started and it is expected to be operational enhancing the city's appeal for fun-lovers early next year. The project showcases blending of natural splendour and modern architectural innovation. The ambitious project involves an investment of Rs 6 crore.

After launching sky cycling and ziplining at Kailasagiri, Gopal said they are trying to leverage CSR funds from the corporates to take up more tourist-friendly projects so as to make Visakhapatnam an ideal destination for various segments. VMRDA spent around Rs 2 crore to introduce sky cycling and ziplining.

This apart, efforts are still on to make the m.v. Maa, an abandoned Bangla ship stuck precariously at a seafront park in the city following a cyclone into a floating restaurant. Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA), which completed work on an International Maritime Cruise Terminal almost a year ago, is waiting to finalise an O&M operator to introduce dedicated cruise liners from Visakhapatnam to Port Blair, Kakinada, Paradip as well as to Singapore and Colombo.

In view of efforts to commission Bhogapuram International Airport, about 45 km from here by March, 2026, Visakhapatnam Stevedores' Association president G Sambasiva Rao, in a chat with Bizz Buzz asked the government to explore plying a ship between the city to the nearest beach landing centre to the airport to enable people to reach the airport without any traffic obstruction.

To give a fillip to beach tourism, the Tourism Department also has plans to promote ecotourism as well as kayaking, jet skiing, surfing, scuba diving and snorkelling at Rushikonda and identify alternative spots at Bheemili and Thimmapuram. The government has already decided to explore the feasibility of launching seaplanes from Visakhapatnam to Kakinada and Amaravati.