VIJAYAWADA

Andhra Pradesh government is planning to turn the Polavaram project into a major tourism destination, showcasing the State’s cultural heritage and engineering skill, Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu has said.

Reviewing the proposed beautification and tourism development plans for the project with officials, architects and consultants on Wednesday (July 2, 2026), Mr. Ramanaidu said the government envisioned the Polavaram spillway as a landmark that reflected Telugu identity and the pride of Andhra Pradesh.

Mr. Ramanaidu said nearly 10,000 acres within the Polavaram project area had been identified through a LiDAR survey for tourism-related development. “The government is preparing proposals to construct bridges linking the right and left banks of the project, and is also examining plans to improve road connectivity between Polavaram and the national highway network through Eluru, Kovvur and Rajamahendravaram,” he said.

The Minister said the government was evaluating conceptual designs prepared by the Japanese consultancy Nippon Koei for a tourism corridor from the Polavaram project to Bhadrachalam, through the Papikonda region.

According to the proposed master plan, the project area would have a museum on the history of the Godavari river and the culture of its basin, along with water sports facilities, temple tourism circuits, resorts, eco-huts and amusement parks to draw domestic and international visitors.

Mr. Ramanaidu said the proposed designs would be placed before Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu shortly for final approval, before the project moves to the next stage.

Irrigation Adviser Venkateswara Rao, Engineer-in-Chief Narasimha Murthy, representatives of Japan’s Nippon Koei and senior officials attended the review meeting.