AP to launch coastal cruise tourism project in July

The state's first coastal cruise tourism project 'Sandram, Lahiri Lahiri' will be commissioned in July at Visakhapatnam.

The Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (Vuda) has taken up this project with the help of the Department of Fisheries.

"Recently, we got the required permission from the Indian Registry of Shipping, Mercantile Marine Department, Government of India and the Visakhapatnam Port Trust to operate the cruise project. From next month, we will be able to offers tourists a cruise in the Bay of Bengal," Dasari Srinivasulu, vice-chairman and special officer, Vuda, told Business Standard.

The state Fisheries Department has allotted one of its high speed patrol boat Sagar Rakshak, built by Dempo Shipbuilding and Engineering Limited at Goa, to Vuda for the coastal tourism project.

Vuda has spent about Rs 18 lakh modifying the vessel for coastal cruise needs.

Vizag-based Institution of Development and Planning Studies (IDPS) has prepared the feasibility report for this project and Vuda has appointed IDPS as the operator for the project.

Out of the total revenue generated by this project, IDPS will take 60 per cent share as the operator while the remaining amount will be split equally by Vuda and the Department of Fisheries

"The coastal cruise will start from fishing harbour and will go up to Rushikonda, which is about 12 kms from the starting point and return back. The total journey will take one hour for which we will charge Rs 200 per person in the executive class and Rs 125 per person for 'J' class tourists. Each voyage will carry only 30 tourists and we are expecting around 36,000-40,000 tourists a year. Apart from providing for insurance cover to all tourists, we have decided to organise dinner parties on this boat at mid-sea," Srinivasulu said, adding, "There are plans to extend the coastal cruise up to Kakinada if the project succeeds."