Tourism Minister Highlights Efforts to Boost Mulugu as a Tourist Hub
Mulugu: Tourism Minister Jupally Krishna Rao announced on Wednesday that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is allocating special funds to transform Telangana into a major tourist destination. As part of this initiative, Mulugu district is being developed into a prime tourist hub.
A new attraction, the “Third Island,” has been created in Laknavaram Lake near Bussapur village in Govindaraopet mandal. Spanning three acres, the island was developed in partnership between the Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation (TSTDC) and Freakouts Adventure Company at a cost of ₹7 crore. The island was officially inaugurated by Ministers Jupally Krishna Rao and Danasari Anasuya (Seethakka).
At a press conference, Minister Jupally highlighted the state’s progress in tourism under the Chief Minister’s leadership. “We are committed to promoting Telangana as a tourist destination in alignment with the CM’s vision,” he said. He emphasized ongoing efforts to enhance the beauty of tourist spots across the state and improve infrastructure to cater to visitors’ needs.
The minister further explained that the newly developed Third Island was designed to rival popular tourist destinations like the Maldives, Shimla, and Munnar. He described Laknavaram as a unique location surrounded by lush green hills, clear waters, and 12 islands. While two of the islands already feature cottages, the Third Island now boasts modern, visually appealing accommodations. Freakouts Adventure Company will manage the facilities for the next five years, sharing 15% of the revenue with the Tourism Department.
Minister Jupally also encouraged locals to explore Telangana’s tourist attractions instead of traveling to other states. He noted that doing so would not only save resources but also improve well-being and potentially increase life expectancy. Additionally, he mentioned submitting a proposal to the central government for ₹250 crore to further strengthen Telangana’s tourist infrastructure.
Seethakka, another key speaker at the event, highlighted the ongoing allocation of funds to develop tourist spots in Mulugu district. She urged the central government to approve ₹100 crore for tourism development in the region. Seethakka also emphasized the health benefits of visiting tourist spots, suggesting it could extend life expectancy by 30%. She called on visitors to avoid using plastic bags to help make these areas plastic-free zones.
Tourism Development Corporation Chairman Patel Ramesh Reddy criticized previous administrations for neglecting tourism and stated that efforts are now being made to develop the sector through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Mahabubabad MP Balram Naik added that he would advocate for additional tourism funding in upcoming Parliament sessions.
