Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has launched a master plan to transform Gandikota in Kadapa district into a world-class tourism destination, comparing its landscape to the “Grand Canyon” and underlining its Kakatiya and Vijayanagara heritage.

At the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Investors Meet, CM Naidu laid the foundation for a Rs 78-crore tourism project under the SASCI scheme, aiming to establish Gandikota as a major tourism hub. Agreements worth Rs 500 crore were signed with companies such as EaseMyTrip and Hilton Hotels for projects spanning hotels, adventure sports, kayaking, jet skiing, and high ropes activities across Gandikota, Srisailam, Mantralayam, and Tirupati.

Gandikota Utsavalu will be held on December 26–27, featuring ecofriendly attractions like a viewpoint, tent city, boating, enhanced fort lighting, a ropeway, a glass-bottom walkway, and immersive light-and-sound shows. Heli-rides over Gandikota will begin in September, while caravan tourism will connect Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Chennai.

The CM also announced plans for 50,000 hotel rooms, including star hotels in Gandikota, and laid foundations for tourism projects at Borra Caves, Ahobilam, and Nagarjunasagar.