TDP Backs Tourism Use for Rushikonda Palace

With the future of the Rushikonda palace complex still under debate, Telugu Desam Party State president Palla Srinivasa Rao on Sunday argued strongly for retaining the landmark as a tourism-focused project. He warned that alternative uses could turn it into a long-term financial burden for the State.

Mr. Srinivasa Rao said the land has always belonged to the Tourism Department and that the project was originally conceived and built as a tourism facility. Diverting it to non-tourism purposes, he said, would go against both its legal status and its economic logic.

Calling the complex a high-maintenance asset, he cautioned that converting it into government offices would generate little revenue while adding recurring costs to the exchequer. Leasing it as a hotel or resort, he said, would be a more practical option, ensuring steady income and professional maintenance.

He pointed out that Rushikonda has strong tourism potential throughout the year and had earlier functioned as a popular destination. Using such a prime coastal location for administrative offices, he said, would weaken its tourism value.

With nearly Rs 1,000 crore already spent on the project, Mr. Srinivasa Rao said leaving the infrastructure underutilised was not an option. He referred to several government buildings that had deteriorated over time due to poor maintenance, ultimately increasing long-term costs.

He said bringing in a capable private partner would help safeguard the asset and generate regular revenue, in line with the Tourism Department’s mandate.

Clarifying the party’s position, he said comments made by MLA Vishnu Kumar Raju reflected personal views. His own stand, he said, was in line with the Cabinet sub-committee’s recommendation in favour of hotel development. A final decision, he added, would be taken after the sub-committee submitted its report and consultations were held with local MLAs.