Tourism revives as roads reopen in Agency Areas

Tourism in the Agency areas of Alluri Sitharama Raju district has begun to pick up after several weeks of sluggish activity due to back-to-back cyclones and extensive damage to roads. The reopening of key road stretches, coupled with a gradual fall in temperatures and the onset of winter, has brought cheer to tourism stakeholders, with tourist arrivals increasing over the past few days.A major road stretch at Beesupuram, on the Ananthagiri-Araku border near the Galikonda Viewpoint, was severely damaged by a landslide following Cyclone Arnab last month. This disrupted vehicular movement between S. Kota and Araku, affecting tourist arrivals in the region.The authorities initially restricted traffic to two-wheelers while taking up restoration works and subsequently allowed four-wheelers in a phased manner. All vehicles have been permitted to use the road for the past two days, according to Ananthagiri police.With connectivity restored and temperatures beginning to dip, tourists have started returning to popular destinations in the Agency.Gowrishankar, a staff member at the Borra Caves in Ananthagiri, told The Hindu that tourist footfall has increased significantly on Saturday (November 14, 2026) following the reopening of the road. More than 2,500 visitors explored the famous caves on Saturday, and the numbers were expected to rise in the coming days, he said. Tourist arrivals had remained considerably low over the previous fortnight following Cyclone Arnab.Santosh, who operates hot-air balloon rides at Padmapuram Botanical Gardens in Araku, said around 150 people had taken the rides on Saturday, indicating a gradual revival in tourist activity.The onset of winter has further added to the attraction of the Agency. Araku Valley recorded its lowest temperature of 12°C on Tuesday this week. Similarly, Munchingputtu, Pedabayalu, and Chintapalli have been recording temperatures below 14°C. Thick fog has been enveloping several parts of the Agency from evening until the early morning hours, according to local residents.Meanwhile, the closure of Vanjangi Hill near Paderu, a major winter tourist attraction popularly known as “Meghala Kondalu” for its spectacular sunrise views above a sea of clouds, has disappointed visitors.The hill has remained closed for the past two weeks following damage to the approach road caused by successive cyclones. Despite the closure, tourists, particularly from neighbouring districts, have been arriving in large numbers during weekends, only to find that access to the hill remains restricted by the Forest Department.Officials said the road connecting the ghat road trek starting point to Vanjangi Hill had suffered erosion, with the possibility of further damage posing a safety risk.District Forest Officer (DFO) Uma Maheswari said tourists usually begin the trek as early as 3 a.m., when there is no proper lighting facility along the route. In such conditions, visitors venturing close to the edges could slip and fall, she said, adding that the authorities could not risk their lives by allowing the trek to continue.The Panchayat Raj Department and other concerned authorities have taken up the restoration works, and the road is expected to be repaired soon. Tourist entry will be permitted only after the road is restored and the route is deemed safe, she said. Published - November 14, 2026 11:16 pm IST