Project to connect temples with Tirumala

HYDERABAD: The State is all set to have an exclusive tourism project, aimed at unleashing a new tourism potential by connecting 23 ancient temples in Nellore and Chittoor districts with temple of Tirupati. The Department of Tourism will take up the project Heritage Circuit Project with a financial assistance of Rs. 32 crore from the Centre.

Infrastructure and other facilities, so vital for tourism, will be developed in these pilgrim centres, informed Kanthi Singh, Union Minister of State for Tourism and Culture on Wednesday. The Minister was speaking after inaugurating the fifth batch of MBA Tourism and Hospitality Management programme at the National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management (NITHM) here.

Ms. Singh said the much delayed Southern Splendour project, a tourist circuit train service connecting the South Indian states, has reached its finalisation stage. The project was delayed due to protracted talks with other southern States, said Principal Secretary of Tourism, Lakshmi Parthasarathy. While Karnataka withdrew from the project in favour of its own tourist express service, Orissa and Pondicherry have agreed to join as new partners. “The project is estimated to cost nearly Rs. 60 crore,” said Ms. Parthasarathy. The State is implementing nine tourism projects in 2007-08 with assistance of Rs. 262 crore from the Centre, she added

Ms. Singh appreciated the role of NITHM in training the well-nurtured human resources for tourism sector.