Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has instructed officials to create a plan to upgrade Visakhapatnam into a top-tier Bay City. During a review meeting on the Visakha Economic Region (VER), the Chief Minister outlined strategies for boosting tourism, infrastructure, and economic growth in the area. He emphasized the need for a Bay City Project from Kailasagiri to Bhogapuram and proposed setting up a dedicated Project Monitoring Unit (PMU) for the region.
Chandrababu Naidu also directed the construction of a Convention Centre on 303 acres of land owned by the Greyhounds department and highlighted the importance of developing Kailasagiri as a spiritual and tourist destination. He urged officials to attract investments in beach-based recreational projects, including water sports and entertainment facilities, to enhance visitor experiences for all age groups. Additionally, the Chief Minister emphasized the modernization of Visakhapatnam Zoo to make it a prominent tourist spot and stressed the significance of promoting the region’s unique tourism assets, such as the Erra Matti Dibbalu (Red Sand Dunes) and Buddhist heritage sites.
Furthermore, Chandrababu Naidu recognized the tourism potential of the Godavari region, citing projects like the Akhanda Godavari Project in Rajamahendravaram, the Polavaram Project, and Papikondalu as key attractions. He highlighted the need to improve infrastructure in these areas to attract substantial tourism investments. The Chief Minister also instructed officials to focus on developing townships near industrial zones established around various projects and suggested making the NITI Aayog report on the Visakha Economic Region public to gather input from students, intellectuals, and stakeholders for regional development.
