Development of Kakinada Hope Island Konaseema attains completion; project sanctioned in 2014-15

Hope Island, located off the coast of Kakinada city in Andhra Pradesh and sanctioned in 2014-15 for development as a world-class coastal and eco-tourism circuit under Ministry of Tourism’s Swadesh Darshan Scheme, has attained physical completion. This was announced by Prahlad Singh Patel, Minister of State (I/C) for Culture and Tourism, Government of India, at a recent address. The project was initially sanctioned for Rs 67.84 crore, with the intention to create a natural getaway hub for the Kakinada-Hope Island-Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary loop for both domestic and international visitors. Under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, Ministry of Tourism provides Central Financial Assistance to State Governments/Union Territory (UT) Administrations for development of thematic tourist circuits in the country, with the objective of improving connectivity and infrastructure of tourism destinations to enrich overall tourist experience, enhance livelihood and employment opportunities, and attract domestic as well as foreign tourists to the destinations. The projects for development are identified in consultation with the State Governments/UT Administrations and are sanctioned subject to submission of project proposals, their adherence to relevant scheme guidelines, submission of suitable detailed project reports, availability of funds, and utilisation of funds released earlier.