AP to develop more beaches on the lines of Rushikonda

Action plan is being prepared by the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation and the district administration to develop more beaches across Andhra Pradesh on the lines of eco-friendly Rushikonda beach here, which is a most sought-after tourist destination.

During the blue flag hoisting celebration held at Rushikonda, GVMC Commissioner C M Saikanth Varma and Joint Collector K S Viswanadhan said that they would initiate action to release only treated effluents into the sea. They said more beaches will be made safe and tourist-friendly with multiple eco-friendly measures.

Rushikonda is one among eight beaches to get blue flag recognition in India. Blue flag criteria fulfills a long standing requirement to make beaches clean, safe and environment-friendly, complete with a modern system of surveillance and safety cover. Blue flag has very stringent 33 criteria to be complied based on which a beach is certified and permitted to hoist their flag. The parameters include environmental education, management, safety and security, water quality.

Rushikonda beach is one of the famous beaches in Visakhapatnam and attracts a large number of visitors for walking, swimming, craft, kayaking, picnics and fishing. It has safe swim havens and signboards and also promotes aquatic safety for tourists.

BEAMS Project

The BEAMS (Beach Aesthetic Management Services) Project has been initiated by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and the Society for Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM) as part of the World Bank-funded Integrated Coastal Management (ICZM) for protection of coastal degradation and developing ecotourism in India.

Society of Integrated Coastal Management has issued a letter of award to M/s B V G India Ltd, Pune for creating infrastructure facilities, pollution abatement and safety surveillance services with an amount of Rs 7.35 crore for nominated beach Rushikonda.

Following facilities and services have been developed under the project in order to meet 33 criteria of blue flag -- Grey Water Treatment Plant (10KLD), container based toilet block for male and female, unisex differently-abled toilet block, container based changing room with shower panels, bamboo made watch towers, drinking water kiosk (2,000 liters per day), 12 bamboo made seating benches, eight bamboo made sit-out umbrella thatches, recliner chairs, 40KW solar power plant, solid waste management plant, jogging track, LED lights, CCTV cameras, beach cleaners and life guards.