Aug. 1: The Vijayawada, Guntur, Tenali, and Mangalagiri Urban Development Authority (VGTM-Uda) has decided to construct riverfront named as Vijaya Siri recreational park on the banks of Krishna river in Gollapudi at a cost of Rs 36 crore to provide recreation to the visitors. The riverfront includes recreation zone, water zone, beach zone, green zone and eatery zone. The focus of the proposed project is to enhance the functional and scenic beauty of Krishna river. The highlight of the project is mega seven-storey tower which will provide fun and recreation in every possible way to the youngsters and children of all ages. The multi-storey tower will have gaming zones for kids, aquarium zone, bowling alley and a banquet hall.

The sixth and seventh floors will be used for conferences, marriages and functions. Each storey will have 3,000 square feet area. The ground floor will be left without construction because of floods threat. The Uda vice-chairman, Mr G.S.R.K.R. Vijay Kumar, told reporters on Monday that the Uda will send proposals to the state government for administrative sanction and later to the ministry of tourism, Central government for sanction of funds. He said there is a provision in the ministry of tourism to develop the riverfronts on the banks of rivers.

The first phase works are proposed to cost `18 crore including all works other than recreational tower and parking tower. The second phase works consist of seven floors recreational tower at a cost of Rs 12 crore and the third and last phase, the parking tower at a cost of Rs 6 crore. Mr Vijay Kumar said the Uda has planned ferry/boat rides, musical fountain, tot-lot, open lush green parks, club house and open-air auditorium which can accommodate 2,500 audience. The eatery zone consists of eatery outlets, lavish entrance plaza, lounges, cloak rooms and conference rooms. Talking about the land, the vice-chairman said a donor came forward to donate land for the construction of the park and permission will be taken from the irrigation and municipal departments for the construction of Vijaya Siri.

Asked about the funds, he said if the central government does not sanctions funds, the Uda would take up the project with its own funds. He ruled out the possibility of construction on public-private partnership mode. The Uda also planned a ropeway from the river front to Bhavani Islands.