VMRDA set to place Vizag on global tourism map

Visakhapatnam: The long-awaited rhetoric to transform Visakhapatnam into a global tourism spot may become a reality if certain ambitious tourism projects proposed by Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) materialise.

VMRDA has sought expression of interest (EoI) from interested parties. Pre-EoI enquiries are quite encouraging and we are expecting a very good response before October 17, the deadline set for submission of applications, VMRDA official said.

Visakhapatnam, called the City of Destiny, is well-known as 'love at first sight' for many due to its picturesque locales including virgin beaches and green-capped valleys like Goa. The VMRDA (erstwhile VUDA) earlier had developed projects like Kailasagiri-Circular Train, ropeway, Telugu Museum, Kursura Submarine Museum, Aeroplane Museum, Thotlakonda Buddhist site and Visakha-Bheemili beach road and parks such as VMRDA Park, Children's Arena, Vaisakhi Jala Udyanavanam, Tenneti Park, Health Arena, TU-142 Aircraft Museum, Sea Harrier Museum and Central Park.

The projects for which investment is sought include Dinosaur Amusement Park, Five Seasons Theme Park, Water World, Wax Museum/POP Museum, Geodesic Dome/Bubble Tents, Glass Skywalk and Adventure Activities to Hop-On, Hop Off City Tour buses, Amphitheatre activities on Revolving Restaurant and Hot Air Balloon rides. VMRDA plans to select and appoint agencies, based only on merit, through proper process and selection criteria. A panel of experts/committees shall be formed by VMRDA to oversee the selection process. The agencies shall be well conversant with activities of establishing the theme projects. The structure for establishing projects in the specified location shall be created by the agencies on PPP (public-private partnership) mode, the VMRDA official said.

The appropriate agencies need to be financially capable in building projects and uphold the theme as well as the essence of the project in a sustainable manner.

The agencies will also be responsible for operation and maintenance of proposed structure for the said theme projects within the prescribed period, as decided by VMRDA at the time of finalisation. Any statutory approvals necessary for establishing the projects will be borne by the agencies in coordination with VMRDA. Further, the agencies will be responsible for landscaping of the prescribed location along with the execution of the finalised project.

VMRDA feels that dinosaurs are prehistoric reptiles that have lived on earth from about 245 million years ago to the present, the modern birds are kind of dinosaurs because they share a common ancestor with non-avian dinosaurs. The dinosaur park will be an amusing base for science education. It will have large, stationary/sensory (automated) dinosaurs giving a glimpse of the fossil remains of a pre-historic era and one has to be taken through a vehicle (electric vehicle/toy train/boat ride) around the park. Apart from the different exhibits of dinosaurs, the park will also create a harmonious ecological environment.

Another big attraction proposed will be a five season's theme park. It is proposed to have a transparent or glass bottom boat that runs on a water channel through five seasons of spring, summer, monsoon, autumn and winter. Transparent glass boats will be introduced. An exposure will be given to tourists on life beneath the water by bringing them in close contact with underwater environments such as artificial reefs, plants, fishes, turtles, sculptures, frogs and octopus.

It is proposed to introduce geodesic domes. The domes are hemispherical thin-shell structures (lattice-shell) based on a geodesic polyhedron. The triangular elements of the domes are structurally rigid and distribute the structural stress throughout the structure, making geodesic domes able to withstand very heavy loads for their size. Geodesic domes are used as a fusion of glamour and camping called glamping, a way to authentically experience the most awe-inspiring locales around the world.

The domes can be used as a cafe/stay or any other recreational activity such as sports, theatres, greenhouses, exhibition halls, children's play arena, on roof-tops/on the beaches. The aim is to make the place for various activities or eco stay camping experience comfortable and luxurious while protecting nature.

Investments are also contemplated into glass skywalk intended to be horseshoe-shaped or a straight lined cantilever bridge with a glass walkway. The project proposal is to have a glass skywalk along the traverse of a vertical hill cliff overlooking the ocean. Visakhapatnam has a beach line stretch of 40 km having adjacent hills along. The project if materialised will attract tourists to have a view of the beautiful Bay of Bengal from the hill, apart from the 360 degree view of the City of Destiny.

Adventure activities will be encouraged next to the skywalk. Activities like zip-liners/zipswings, rope-courses, trampolines, Burma Bridge, valley crossing, sky jump and sky ladders are envisaged. In addition, various other adventure activities can be taken up such as, parallel ropes, commando net, archery challenge, paintball arena, target shooting, rock climbing, rappelling and tarzan swing.