Nelakondapalli Buddhist Stupa to be revamped as world-class tourist destination: Khammam Collector

Khammam District Collector Anudeep Durishetty announced that the historic Nelakondapalli Buddhist Stupa will be developed into an international-standard tourist destination under the Buddhavanam Project. The initiative aims to boost heritage tourism and preserve Telangana’s Buddhist legacy.

Khammam: District Collector Anudeep Durishetty said on Thursday that Nelakondapalli Buddhist Stupa would be developed into a tourist destination with international standards.

The Collector along with the Buddhavanam Project Special Officer Mallepalli Lakshmaiah visited the Buddhist Stupa on Thursday and inspected the works undertaken to develop the site. He said that Rs. 2.5 crore has already been sanctioned for the works.

A tourist accommodation centre has been constructed. A museum, Buddhist meditation hall, sculptures depicting the life history of Buddha and an arch at the entrance will be designed besides developing basic facilities, he said.

Plans would be made for setting up a restaurant, convention centre, theme park and boating facility in the Balasamudram tank. Connecting Balasamudram tank to the Buddhist Stupa and developing it could attract more tourists, Durishetty noted.

He told officials to ensure that every structure should resemble the Buddhist style. Along with greenery, a map should be prepared of what kind of construction should be undertaken at the site near the Buddhist Stupa.

A plan should be made for the site’s maintenance, cleanliness and safety measures. The Buddhist Stupa should be developed in accordance with the Buddhavanam project in consultation with heritage consultants, the Collector suggested.

Khammam RDO Narasimha Rao, district tourism development officer Suman Chakravarthy, tourism department DE Ramakrishna, NSS Associates chief consultant Venkatesh and others were present.