Rs 10-cr resort coming up on Godavari banks

In a bid to bring Rajahmundry on the national tourism map and thereby woo foreign tourists, Rajamahendri Resorts Private Limited is developing a tourist resort on the banks of River Godavari.

Christened 'River Bay', the resort is being developed on 4.5 acres of land involving an investment of Rs 10 crore.

Speaking to Business Standard, JVVS Murthy, managing director of Rajamahendri Resorts, said, "The Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) had allotted 4.5 acres of land to us for developing the tourism resort. As per the lease agreement entered into with APTDC, we have to pay Rs 17 lakh a year as lease amount and a gross amount of 3.5 per cent of the revenue earned by the company as additional development premium to the tourism corporation."

"River Bay will house 60 cottages with six suites, each equipped with internet facilities. A water village is also being developed which will have bumper cars and water scooters for kids and youth," Murthy said.

Besides, River Bay will have three restaurants called Catain's Table, Green House and Avakai, named after the typical Telugu mango pickle. The company is spending Rs 20 lakh on landscaping eating point lawns called 'Eat Street'.

The company is also developing a sailing and health club at the resort. "We will be introducing three to four boats at the sailing club (Sir Arthur Cotton Sailing and Health Club) at an investment of Rs 30 lakh each. Once the project is launched, we will be organising national-level sailing competitions," he said.

According to Murthy, medical tourism too will be promoted at the resort in alliance with the Apollo Hospitals Group.

"The idea is encourage the corporate hospital patients who undergo surgeries or major medical treatments to come over to River Bay and spend their recuperation time," he said.