Baruva Beach set for major makeover to bag Blue Flag status

Visakhapatnam: The authorities of Srikakulam have taken measures to turn Baruva Beach, one of the oldest beaches in Andhra Pradesh and often referred to as the Second Goa of India, into a Blue Flag Beach. Baruva will become the second Blue Flag Beach in the state after Rushikonda in Vizag if it receives the Blue Flag tag, and the 13th in the country.

The beach features silken sands, an old British-era shipwreck, and the scenic confluence where the Mahendra Tanaya River merges into the Bay of Bengal.Funds were sanctioned, and works have begun to secure Blue Flag status, as authorities found that all necessary resources are in place to make Baruva Beach a Blue Flag Beach. A foundation named Mineral Trust has given Rs 60 lakh as the first phase of funding. With those funds, the district authorities are now taking measures to construct a guest house with Rs 45 lakh, a parking facility with Rs 15.5 lakh, and other structures by removing the dilapidated building.The Govt whip and Icchapuram MLA Bendalam Ashok said that the government has been taking measures to convert Baruva Beach into a Blue Flag Beach. The beach will be developed into one of the best tourist centres. He said that Union minister for civil aviation Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu and the district administration have been taking a special initiative in this regard.Officials have prepared plans to construct a few more structures to complement the existing lighthouse and Haritha Resorts.

The beach has coconut plantations and beautiful black stones on the coast within the limits rramukkam. The beach has vast dunes from Gollagandi to Erramukkam, around one kilometre. The oldest temple, Kotilingeswara, famous for being constructed by the Pandavas, Janardhana Swamy temple, Jagannadha Swamy, Venugopala Swamy, and other temples will remind us of the past glory.

On the beach is a commemorative pillar placed in remembrance of a cargo ship that sank nearby in 1971.

The beach was used as a seaport until 1948.According to officials, there are plans to run a boat ride on the Mahendra Tanayha at the confluence of the river with the Bay of Bengal to the T Sasanam area; besides, it is very convenient for the holy baths. The authorities are now constructing a main entrance to the beach, an information desk, toilets, drinking water, a walking track, towers, additional turtle protection centres, parks, and plans for the extension of greenery.