Bhadrachalam: The first lot of sandstones meant for the proposed Sculpture Park has reached Bhadrachalam. The sandstones have been brought from Kadapa and a few other districts to the temple town.

“They are meant for carving out lifelike sculptures of the characters of the epic Ramayana,” according to sources. The sculptures would adore the park, an integral part of the proposed Ramayana Theme Park, planned on a sprawling 11.71 acres of land in the temple town.

The Department of Tourism has sent a proposal to the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, for sanction of Rs. 21.54 crore for constructing the ambitious theme park in Bhadrachalam, the abode of Lord Sri Sitaramachandra Swamy.

Thanks to the initiative of Collector Siddharth Jain, land measuring 11.71 acres has been earmarked for the prestigious park near the ITDA head office. It has also been proposed to build a ‘Tribal Haat’ at the same venue to showcase the distinctive cultural heritage of the Adivasis of the Bhadrachalam Agency.

The Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) has already taken over 11.71 acres of land on the Gollagatta Road in Bhadrachalam for building the Ramayana Theme Park and the ‘Tribal Haat’, District Tourism Officer Suman Chakravarthy has said. The government has already released Rs. 2.05 crore for the ‘Tribal Haat’.

The APTDC is all set to commence the works for constructing the sculpture park, as suggested by Chandana Khan, Special Chief Secretary of Tourism. Renowned sculptures from various parts of the State are likely to arrive in the temple town soon to take up the task. This apart, proposals have already been sent to the Ministry of Tourism for sanction of Rs. 4.82 crore for development of 10 tank bund parks in Madhira constituency.