Historic Kondapalli Fort in for Image Makeover with PURA Funds

Women having lunch during Karthika Vanamahotsavams on the occasion of Karthika Somavaram organised by the state government at Kondapalli Fort in Vijayawada on Monday

VIJAYAWADA: The historic Kondapalli Fort has become the venue for the first ever ‘Karthika Vanamahotsavams’ organised by the government after it was officially declared a state festival. The government, in association with the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) organised the ‘Vanasamaradhana’ at select places in the district on the occasion of the auspicious ‘Karthika Masam’ Monday.

Irrigation minister Devineni Umamaheswara Rao, joint collector J Murali and ZP chairperson Gadde Anuradha planted ‘Amla’, ‘Peepul’, ‘Mareedu’ and ‘Tella Poniki’ (which is used to prepare Kondapalli toys) saplings at the venue.

Umamaheshwara Rao said that the government had devised a plan for the development of Kondapalli Fort and to turn it into a tourist attraction. “The ropeway, reconstruction of steps, widening of roads, a restaurant at the fort are part of a package. The Provision of Urban Amenities to Rural Areas (PURA) funds will be allocated to provide basic amenities at the fort,” he said.

The minister also said that Vanamahotsavams will be organised for a month next year. “A review meeting will be conducted soon to discuss steps to develop Kondapalli Fort as the best tourist spot in the state,” he added.

Krishna district joint collector J Murali inspected the ongoing renovation works at the fort and enquired the officials of tourism, archaeology and forest departments about the progress of works.

VANAMAHOTSAVAMS AT MANGINAPUDI

BC welfare and excise minister Kollu Ravindra said that the government is planning to construct resorts at a cost of `5 crore at the Manginapudi Beach. Participating in the ‘Vanamahotsavams’ organised at the beach Monday, he said that the government had taken the decision to celebrate the ‘Vanamahotsavams’ by planting trees with a view to promote greenery in the state. He also asked the citizens of Machilipatnam to plant trees and clean the beach every 10 days. ‘Vanamahotsavams’ were also celebrated at other places like Nuzvid, Visannapet, Nandigama, Paritala and Avanigadda.