Thu Jun 26 12:57:10 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the provided text and a rewrite as a news article:

**Summary:**

Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan performed *bhumi puja* for the ₹94-crore Akhanda Godavari project in Rajamahendravaram, Andhra Pradesh. This project, funded by the Union Government, aims to develop the Godavari riverfront into a major tourist destination by renovating the 125-year-old Havelock Bridge and developing surrounding areas. The project includes creating tourist attractions like an interpretation center on Havelock Bridge, upgrading flower nurseries, and developing other locations along the river. The project is expected to boost tourism and showcase the region’s culture and heritage.

**News Article:**

**Akhanda Godavari Project Aims to Transform Rajamahendravaram into Tourism Hotspot**

**Rajamahendravaram, Andhra Pradesh – June 26, 2025** – A groundbreaking ceremony, or *bhumi puja*, was held today in Rajamahendravaram for the ₹94-crore Akhanda Godavari project, a significant initiative aimed at transforming the Godavari riverfront into a major tourist attraction. Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan officiated the ceremony, marking the start of a comprehensive development plan funded under the Union Government’s Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI).

The Akhanda Godavari project centers around the renovation of the 125-year-old Havelock Bridge, with plans to add various tourist attractions. The surrounding areas of Dowleswaram, Kadiyam, Kovvur, and Nidadavolu will also be developed as key tourist destinations.

“The Godavari riverfront development project, titled Akhanda Godavari, will become an iconic tourist destination in India,” stated Minister Shekhawat during the ceremony. “The project aims at creating a comprehensive riverfront experience anchored along the 125-year-old Havelock Bridge and Pushkar Ghat.”

Key features of the project include:

* Renovation of the Havelock Bridge, allowing pedestrian access for 1.2 km.
* Creation of an interpretation center on the bridge to showcase Godavari regional culture and heritage.
* Development of a three-acre experience center at Kadiyam flower nurseries, featuring flower exhibitions, live demonstrations, and local cuisine.
* Development of Tent City in the island.

Shekhawat anticipates at least 2 million tourists annually to visit Havelock Bridge and tent City.

Deputy Chief Minister Kalyan highlighted the significance of the project, stating that it fulfilled a decades-long wish to renovate the abandoned Havelock Bridge. He emphasized Rajamahendravaram’s rich cultural history, being the birthplace of Adikavi Nannaya and a region where civilization thrived along the river.

State Minister for Tourism and Culture Kandula Durgesh and MP D. Purandeswari used the occasion to appeal to Minister Shekhawat to sanction a branch of the National School of Drama for the region. The Akhanda Godavari project is expected to significantly boost tourism, preserve local heritage, and generate economic opportunities in the region.

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