Minister for Agriculture Tummala Nageswara Rao has directed officials to develop various historical sites and bolster the tourism industry in the erstwhile Khammam district.

Tummala Nageswara Rao on Monday convened a meeting with Tourism Minister Jupally Krishna Rao, along with Tourism Corporation Managing Director Valluri Kranthi, General Manager Upender Reddy and other officials at the Secretariat to discuss strategies for tourism development in the district.

During this meeting, both Ministers urged officials to devise plans for promoting eco-tourism and temple tourism within Khammam district.

Officials were tasked with drafting proposals for the construction of several projects, including the Paleru reservoir, a Buddhist stupa at Nelakondapalli, Parnasala, the Bhadrachalam temple, the Kinnerasani project, a green hotel at Kothagudem, Kanigiri Hills, Wyra reservoir, Velugumatla urban park, a ropeway at Khammam fort, and an additional green hotel in Khammam.

"The district offers a favourable environment, along with various attractions, historical sites, and temples that can enhance tourism development, and it is essential to ensure these sites are accessible to the public. The renowned Bhadrachalam Ram temple should be further developed, and improved facilities need to be provided for devotees. To achieve this, collaboration between the tourism department and the tourism corporation is necessary to establish tourism destinations in Khammam district," stated the Ministers.

They instructed officials to prepare proposals for the swift approval of needed funds, which can come from the state government or private partnerships. Officials from the Tourism department and the district collector are required to visit the relevant sites and develop suitable action plans, they noted.

The Ministers also emphasised that proper arrangements should be made for Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's visit to Khammam district planned for next month.

They proposed that the eco-tourism development projects in a forested area of approximately 500 acres close to Khammam town should be finalised as soon as possible.