Heli tourism / Helicopter tourism soon in Andhra Pradesh (Vijayawada, Tirupati , Vizag )

AMARAVATI: To improve Heli tourism in the State, the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department signed a MoU with New Delhi-based Mak Aerospace and Aviation Pvt Ltd.

As part of the agreement, services will be started in Tirupati, Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam shortly.

Helicopter services include joy rides, packages, Heli-taxi services, packaging with wedding plans in Tirupati and aerial reconnaissance and disaster management. 

In the initial stage, the helicopters shall be six-seaters (Bell 206 L4 / Bell 407). Gradually,  the number of seats will be increased realising the full potential of Heli-tourism and air-connectivity in the State.
The tourism department has assured to provide all infrastructure support to Mak Aerospace and Aviation Pvt Ltd to carry out the operations. Infrastructure support includes the necessary helipads in the areas of operation, passenger holding area, control room and security/screening facility. 

Mak Aerospace and Aviation Pvt Ltd will be responsible for ticketing, promotion and executing all commercial operations with the support of the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department.

“The MoU will help in boosting tourism services in the State. We shall extend our full support to ensure smooth implementation of this initiative. Heli-tourism will provide a good opportunity for locals and tourists to explore weekend getaways in a convenient manner,”.

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Bhavani Island,vijayawada

Bhavani Island – A Perfect Blend of Nature, Adventure, and Relaxation.

Nestled in the middle of the serene Krishna River, Bhavani Island in Vijayawada is one of the largest river islands in India, spread across nearly 130 acres. Known for its lush greenery, scenic views, and adventure activities, the island has become a must-visit destination for families, nature lovers, and thrill-seekers visiting Andhra Pradesh.

 

 How to Reach Bhavani Island

• By Road: Vijayawada is well-connected by road, and the island is just a few kilometers away from the city center.

• By Boat: Visitors can reach the island via boat rides operated by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) from Bhavani Ghat near the city.

• The short ferry ride itself is a scenic experience, offering breathtaking views of the Krishna River.

Top Attractions and Activities

1. Adventure Sports

   • Jet skiing, zorbing, and speed boating are popular water activities.

   • Rope courses, ATV rides, and climbing walls are available for adventure enthusiasts.

2. Leisure and Nature Walks

   • Stroll through beautifully maintained gardens surrounded by tall trees.

   • Relax in peaceful spots ideal for family picnics or photography.

3. Kids-Friendly Zone

   • Play zones and safe adventure games make it a great spot for children.

4. Stay Options

   • APTDC offers cottages, tree houses, and luxury resorts right on the island.

   • Overnight stays allow you to experience the island’s tranquility after sunset.

Why Visit Bhavani Island?

• Escape the busy city life with a calm natural retreat.

• Perfect for weekend getaways, family outings, and romantic trips.

• A unique blend of spiritual aura, since the island is named after Goddess Kanaka Durga (Bhavani), whose temple is nearby in Vijayawada.

Nearby Attractions

• 🛕 Amaravati Stupa – A significant Buddhist heritage site.

• 🌊 Krishna Riverfront – Scenic ghats and boat rides.

• 🏯 Undavalli Caves – Rock-cut marvels near Vijayawada.

• 🌆 Prakasam Barrage – Just a short drive away, beautifully lit up in the evenings. 

Travel Tips

• Best time to visit: October to March when the weather is pleasant.

• Carry light clothing and sunscreen for daytime activities.

• Pre-book cottages or resorts during weekends and holidays to avoid last-minute rush.

 

 

                                                    

VISIT Vijayawada Utsav 2025

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India's First Solar Boat Aditya in Kerala

The first solar ferry boat ‘Aaditya’ in India was launched in the 2.5-km Vaikom-Tavanakkadavu sector recently. even as the Kerala state government sought Central financial assistance to roll out 10 more such passenger boats as part of its aim to replace the existing fleet of diesel boats with solar-powered ones.

The State Water Transport Department will daily operate 22 schedules of the solar ferry between 7 am and 7 pm. During peak hours, the boat, which has 78 roof-top solar panels, will conduct services at a 10-minute interval and 15 minutes at other times. Two electric motors and a lithium battery is used in the boat. The boat is 20 metre long and seven metre wide. It can travel at a speed of 14km per hour. When the ordinary boats takes 15 minutes to reach Thavanakkadavu from Vaikom, the solar boat will take only half that time.

 The construction of the Rs 1.50-crore boat took nearly two years. The boat has a seating capacity of 75. The boat was manufactured based on the studies conducted at the ship technology department of the Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat).

 Hope soon will expect Andhra pradesh tourism to launch solar ferry boat in Krishna river banks, amaravti, Andhra pradesh.

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BUS CUM BOAT by ANDHRA PRADESH TOURISM in KRISHNA RIVER, VIJAYAWADA

AMARAVATI - AMPHIBIOUS  VEHICLE TRANSPORT

The long-awaited amphibious vehicle, launched by Andhra Pradesh Tourism. Imagine the fun of a ride in an amphibious bus, a vehicle that becomes a means of transport on land as well as on (or under) water.

The bus-cum-boat will float in the Krishna river initially for a joy ride. “But in the days to come, it’ll take people from the Punnami ghat to Pavithra Sanghamam via several popular stopovers en route.

The plan is to provide tourists a new view to the exotic locales in and around Vijayawada in the vehicle which moves smoothly from wide open spaces to an aquatic wonder land.

Tour Details:

The tour will start in a clockwise direction from the Berm Park,in Bhavanipuram. The tourists will take a joy ride in the Krishna and transit on to land in the same bus to Lotus hotel before taking in the grand and historic sights of Undavalli Caves, the Panakala Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple, A.P. Secretariat, Uddandarayapalem and Sri Shiva Kshetra.

The boat will stop at the APTDC dock-II which will have amenities like a food court, a souvenir shop and a repair and maintenance shed. From here, the boat ride will continue in the Krishna on way to the Pavithra Sanghamam which will have similar amenities like a museum, a food court, a ticket counter, waiting lounge and souvenir shops. It will then reach Sri Durga Malleswara Swamivarla Devasthanam before returning to the starting point at Bhavanipuram.

An alternative route will begin from Pavithra Sangamam in an anti-clockwise direction, moving through the APTDC dock-II, followed by Shiva Kshetram, Uddandarayapalem, A.P. Secretariat, Sri Panankala Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple and Undavalli Caves with a stop at the Lotus hotel and APTDC dock before proceeding to the Durga temple.

To begin with, the Tourism wing may launch six such vehicles. “The CRDA has asked for two amphibious buses to cater to the transport needs of the Secretariat staff. Each vehicle has a seating capacity for 16 people,”.

courtesy: http://www.thehindu.com

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Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) makes history with successful PSLV C-37

Indian Space Research Organisation  (Isro) to launch a record 104 satellites including Cartosat-2 in a single mission today(February 15) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

The satellites, to be launched at 9.28 am, will be the highest number to be launched in a single mission. While the Isro’s current record stands at 20 satellites in 2016, Russia achieved global distinction in this regard by launching 37 in 2014.

Of the 104 spacecraft, three are Indian satellites of the Cartosat-2 series. The others are nanosatellites from Israel, Kazakhstan, Netherlands, Switzerland and the USA.

Cartosat-2 series satellites – equipped with panchromatic and multispectral image sensors – are earth observation spacecraft that provide remote sensing services. Data captured by these satellites can be used to monitor road networks, map land use and effect proper water distribution.

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Gandikota Festival

Gandikota Heritage Festival to held on  February 18 and 19th. The Andhra Pradesh state Tourism department is going to conduct this festival as Gandikota Heritage Festival.The festival is aimed at showcasing the importance of Kadapa district.

Festival balloons would be released in Kadapa, Proddatur, Jammalamadugu and Gandikota and ‘Adigo adigo alladigo Gandikota gatha vaibhavam’ theme song, written by professor Easwar Reddy of Yogi Vemana University and sung by Srikanth of Kadapa district would be played on February 18.

A quiz on tourism at C.P. Brown Library on February 13, kho kho and skipping competitions in the municipal stadium and elocution and essay- writing contests for juniors at Brown library on February 14, kabaddi and wrestling contests in the municipal stadium on February 15, cookery and rangoli contests in Kalakshetram on February 16.

Sobha yatra rallies with cultural troupes would be taken out from Kadapa and Proddatur on February 17 and Jammalamadugu on February 18.

The inaugural would comprise a classical dance, mimicry show by Siva Reddy, Kuchipudi dance by Khan team and Sangeetha Vibhavari by Gangadhar Sastry.

The programmes planned on the second day of Gandikota festival on February 19 were Kuchipudi, Kathak, Kathakali, Rajasthani and Odissi dance show by 20 dancers, dance ballet on Hanuman Chalisa by 62 artistes, Sri Venkateswara Vaibhavam play, musical nite by Vandemataram Srinivas and Qawwali programme by Moin Dilshad of Hyderabad.

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Konaseema Festival 2017

Konaseema Utsavam -2017:

After Kakinada Beach festival, East Godavari district administration is going to conduct another  festival i.e Konaseema  Festival / Konaseema  Utsavam in the scenic Konaseema area from February 24 to 27.
Deputy Chief Minister N. Chinarajappa said that the Konaseema Festival attracted tourists from all over the State. It would be conducted on the Muramalla river bank in I. Polavaram mandal. As a part of it, a special beach festival would be conducted in S. Yanam on February 25 and 26.
Volleyball tourney
A national-level volleyball tournament at Gollavelli village in Uppalaguptham mandal was also planned from February 24 to 28 to attract more tourists.

Mr. Chinarajappa directed the officials to make elaborate arrangements for organising special exhibitions on horticulture, fish culture and coconut products of the Konaseema area as part of the festival. The possibility of organising events such as DWCRA Bazaar and water sports should also be explored, he said.

District Collector H. Arun Kumar said the region, whose landscape is similar to that of Kerala, has vast tourism potential. He said proposals would be submitted to the Centre seeking funds for development of S. Yanam, Bodasakurru and Vasalathippa in the district as tourist spots.

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Naval operational Display - Navy Show at Punnami Ghat starts from today

First-ever event "Navy Show" in vijayawada is going to start from Feb2 - 5th Feb 2017. This event is organizing Andhra Pradesh tourism with colabiration of Indian Navy.
Visitors are enthralled to see the breath-taking feats performed by the Navy officials on the optimist and Hobie 16 boats dropping the divers into waters.

The rehearsal for operational demonstration would be conducted till February 2 and the full dress rehearsal is scheduled for Feb 3, while the final demonstration will be held on Feb 4 wherein Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and ENC Flag Officer Commander-in-Chief Vice Admiral HSC Bisht will witness the performance.

On Feb 5, beating retreat will be held at Tummalapalli Kalakshetram from 5 pm. The show is free. However, the officials will provide passes to the public on first-come-first-serve basis.

“The Navy Operational Demonstrations offer an exposure of the Indian Navy activities to the civilian population/youth and the interaction with officials provides them with employment opportunities,” AP Tourism General Manager G Ramakrishna told ‘Express’.

The Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) was directed to mobilise students from remote villages across the State to witness the naval operational demo. Various naval exercises will be demonstrated by the ships of the Eastern Fleet including the fleet support ship and oil-tankers, asymmetric threat, firing and underway replenishment or refuelling.

A photo exhibition will also be arranged near the venue to create awareness among the public. Documentaries featuring the naval operations will be a major attraction during the event.

Slithering operations by naval commandos will be performed from helicopters.

Plan your evenings to join us at Punnami River Front ,Amaravati,Vijayawada from 2nd Feb till 4th Feb.Watch the #MARCOS performing at Punnami River Front.

Navy Show Timings:

February 2nd : 4PM
February 3nd : 4PM
February 4th : 4PM 

source: newindianexpress.

NAVY SHOW VIDEO:

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Floating hotel on Krishna river near Vijayawada

 A floating hotel, built on a mini ship, is planned by Amaravati Tourism Projects Limited to be stationed near Sangamam on the Krishna river upstream of Prakasam barrage near Vijayawada.

A. Bhavani Prasad, Director, said here on Saturday that his company had signed a memorandum of understanding with the AP Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) at the partnership summit of the Confederation of Indian Industry.

 He said, "We are planning three projects - the floating hotel at an investment of Rs 20 crores, a service apartments project near Vijaywada at a cost of Rs 250 crores and a rope way project at Kotappakonda in Guntur district where the famous Trikuteswara Swami temple is located on the hill. The rope way project will entail investment of Rs 7.5 crores."

He said the floating hotel would be stationed at Sangamam (the confluence point) of the Krishnna and the Godavari. "The spot has acquired great importance of late, as the Godavari waters brought through the Polavaram canal mingle with Krishna waters at the point. The State Government is developing it as a tourism spot. We deemed it fit therefore to place our floating hotel there," he explained.

The hotel will have 25 rooms, facilities for 100 persons to take meals, and a small conference hall. "These projects will give a great fillip to tourism in the Vijayawada-Amaravati region. We will complete the apartments project in two years and the rest in a year or so," he added.

source : thehindubusinessline.com

Watch Recent Air show - Vijayawada

 

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Naval show at Vijayawada

Naval show at Vijayawada

AMARAVATI: After the Air show, first time, citizens of Vijayawada are going to witness the spectacular Naval Operations Demonstration (Navy Op Demo) by the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) in Krishna river at Punnami Ghat, Bhavanipuram, here from February 1 to 4.

Krishna District Collector Babu A said the four-day event would feature a wide range of events starting from flypasts by Chetaks and Seakings to beating retreat.

As many as 17 events, including the sunset ceremony, illuminations by sail boats and fireworks display, will be performed on the closing ceremony on February 4, which will be attended by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and naval commanders-in-chief, he said.

He further said that the naval show was aimed at tapping the tourism potential in Vijayawada and Amaravati. “The event also aims at making the youth aware of the immense job opportunities in the Navy,” said Babu A.

Watch Recent Navy show - Vijayawada:

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