Bhavani Island expected to regain former glory by March 2026

Bhavani Island, once a vibrant tourist destination, is gradually being restored after sustaining extensive damage in the September 2024 floods. The State government has planned a total investment of ₹4 crore for the restoration of the island to regain its former appeal by next year, according to the Department of Tourism officials.

Named after the presiding deity of Vijayawada, Goddess Kanaka Durga, the 130-acre picturesque landscape had emerged as a major tourist attraction between 2014 and 2019. Under the then government led by N. Chandrababu Naidu, the island saw significant development in the form of several recreational activities such as robotic park, mirror maze, golf stimulator, virtual cricket, maze garden, adventure zone, multimedia laser show, musical fountain, game zone, and children’s rides. A 5-km electric pathway, boat rides, selfie points, accommodation, and restaurant facilities made it popular among families and tourists.

Bhavani Island Tourism Corporation (BITC) Manager Ravindra Babu said that 70 per cent of the tourists who visit Kanaka Durga temple also visit the Island, making it a key tourism hub.

Speaking to The Hindu, BITC Executive Director G. Uma Maheshwar Rao said that after 2020, not much development has taken place. Mr. Ravindra added that the YSRCP government did not undertake significant initiatives for the island during its five-year tenure.

The heavy inflow of floodwater during the September 2024 floods, recorded at 11.4 lakh cusecs, left behind large deposits of silt and debris across the island. “Approximately 1,500 to 2,000 lorry loads of sand, measuring up to 2 to 4 feet in depth, had to be cleared,” said Mr. Rao. Over 150 trees were uprooted, damaging the pathways. “Except for the mirror maze, virtual cricket, and a couple of adventure activities, all other zones were damaged,” he added.

The ground floor of the gaming zone, which contained bumper cars, VR games, snooker, and table tennis, was submerged under water. The musical fountain, robotic park, and about half of the island’s key pathways were also affected. Restoration works began only in early 2025 following administrative delays. Officials clarified that the delay was not due to a lack of funds, but the unavailability of technical personnel. “Cleaning began only in February, for which ₹23.95 lakh has been spent,” Mr. Rao said.

Key projects proposed during the 2014-2019 regime, like the cruise, casino, bird park, botanical garden, museum, and toy train, are set to be revived. “The Request for Proposal (RFP) has been approved by the present CEO, and the tender process will also be completed by the end of the month,” the ED said.

So far, 90 per cent of the debris has been cleared. Power supply has been restored, and work has resumed in several zones. Tenders were finalised recently. In the next 10 days, the RFP for the robotic park is expected to be cleared. The maze garden will be reopened to the public in 15 days, while the musical fountain and game zone are likely to be operational within three months under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The officials emphasised that financial support from the government is a prerequisite for complete restoration.

Plans are also under way to build a water park featuring water games, as well as a toy train project utilising foreign technology. However, officials noted that these will require private investment and may take some time to materialise.

“To avoid future flood damage, the Tourism Department is planning to take measures such as sheet piling restoration and reshaping the island in a U-format,” added the ED.

Although only a few attractions, such as the mirror maze, VR cricket, and limited adventure games, are currently open, weekday footfall ranges from 800 to 1,000, increasing to over 2,000 on weekends. Facilities such as restaurants, boat rides, open gym areas, and tree-top cottages are operational. “We urge the public to visit. Their presence encourages us to accelerate the work and complete the restoration,” said Mr. Ravindra Babu. The officials estimate that by March 2026, Bhavani Island will regain its former glory.

(The writer is intern at The Hindu, Vijayawada)

Published - June 15, 2025 07:14 pm IST