The centuries-old Bojjannakonda is likely to draw tourists not only from across the country but also from nations like Bhutan, Singapore, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Myanmar, where Buddhism is practised even to this day, if the grandiose plans of the Central and State governments are any indication.
The Central government has sanctioned ₹7.30 crore recently for taking up landscaping and development of tourist amenities at Bojjannakonda, which is under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The State government, on its part, has allotted a two-and-a-half acre site adjacent to the Buddhist heritage site to develop a meditation centre and landscaping.
The foundation stone for the construction of a Buddhist interpretation (meditation) centre and landscaping of the adjacent site was laid by Minister for Industries and IT Gudivada Amarnath, YSRCP Regional Coordinator Y.V. Subba Reddy, and Anakapalle MP B.V. Satyavathi recently. The other plans include the construction of an arch on the road from the National Highway leading to the Buddhist heritage site, the improvement of Yeleru canal bund, which passes close by the site, and launching of a ‘light and sound show’ that would reflect the historical importance of the site.
