Vizag to get India’s longest ropeway

VISAKHAPATNAM: With numerous tourism plans on their way, Visakhapatnam popularly known as Vizag, plans to get a 12-km long ropeway, the longest in India. Andhra Pradesh’s Tourism Department in collaboration with the Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA) and Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC), have identified two stretches across which a ropeway can be set-up – Kailasagiri to Simhachalam hills and Kailasagiri to dolphin’s Nose.

Kailasagiri, a hilltop park is spread over 380 acres of various flora and tropical trees. With 360 feet of height it forms a major tourist attraction. Dolphin’s nose, a huge rock, the shape of a Dolphin has a powerful lighthouse while the Simhachalam hill is where the Varaha Lakshmi temple is situated.

The rope way from Kailasagiri to Dolphin’s Nose may pass over the entire RK Beach Road stretch covering nearly 12 km, while the one between Kailasagiri and Simhachalam will be less than 2 km. The project is a part of renovation or redevelopment of Kailasagiri tourism spot which will be funded by the World Bank.

“We are planning to build only one rope way. The rope way from Kailasagiri to Dolphin’s Nose is the one we are looking forward to,” said a senior VUDA official. APTDC divisional manager TV Sudarshana Rao said that if the project is confirmed for the stretch between Kailasagiri and dolphin’s Nose, it will be an achievement for the city.