In Tamil Nadu state bureaucracy, Sandeep Nanduri, a 2009 batch IAS officer of the Tamil Nadu cadre is making ripples. The reason is simple. He has made a mark for himself and caught the attention of the Chief Minister, M K Stalin, who recently released an exclusive tourism policy-2023, touted to be one of its kind.
| Sandeep Nanduri holds a B. Tech from Osmania University and an MBA from the IIM Bengaluru. He is the son of an illustrious IPS officer of Andhra Pradesh and is married to Adayasha, daughter of an IAS officer of Andhra Pradesh and the couple has a son, Samarth. Nanduri is a sports and fitness freak and came out with flying colors notching up 91st All India IAS ranking. |
A multi-tasker, known for his grit, determination and perseverance, a big dreamer and a passionate driver of the responsibilities vested with him, has earned laurels within a short span of time for translating into action various state government’s initiatives. Nanduri met with Industrial Economist as the Managing Director of Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation and now he has moved over to Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) as its Managing Director.
Hitting the coast
His passion for tourism comes out with his story telling capabilities. “We will tap the potential across the long 1000-km plus scenic coastal line. This will be the center of action and we have planned several new attractions,” explained Nanduri. “We propose to target discerning tourists of all ages especially the gen-next who have the spending power to explore by taking short breaks during weekends,” pointed out Nanduri. Along with this, the time-tested spiritual tourism is being planned to capitalised further through additional promotions. A travel buff himself, Nanduri prefers the less explored and adventurous destinations.
The entire stretch of East Coast Road (ECR) will soon become home to water sporting activities, eco-tourism and adventure hot spots besides the increasing focus of Meetings, Incentives, Conference and Exhibition (MICE) tourism in a big way”, highlighted Nanduri. A state-of-the-art convention centre is to come up in a 19-acre plot on the sea-front, adjacent to Dakshina Chitra. The Tamil Nadu Public Works Department (PWD) has been entrusted with the task of designing the center which meets the burgeoning aspirations of the state. For the food buffs, new floating restaurants is to be added at TTDC’s boating yard located on the ECR. The first such restaurant will soon be launched. “Our target is to woo IT professionals. Also, the “hop-on-hop-off” tourist friendly buses will be revived and a committee is looking into the commercial feasibility of operations,” said Nanduri.
| Tourism will contribute 12 per cent to GSDP
Tamil Nadu recently unveiled its new tourism policy and in this, the sector has been accorded industry status. It aims to attract Rs 20,000 crore investment in the sector and to facilitate the skill development of 3 lakh people. The state expects the sector to contribute 12 per cent to GSDP and employ 25 lakh people. The policy will primarily focus on 12 themes including, adventure, recreation, caravan, rural and plantation, coastal, cultural, medical and wellness, religious, ecological and MICE (meetings, incentives, conference, exhibition) tourism. |
Focusing on all-around aspects
on the improvements to be made in the existing properties of TTDC especially those adjoining various temple tourism hot spots, the TTDC is looking to partner with private players to provide them a facelift.
In Udhagamandalam, hailed as the Queen of Hill Stations, a rope way is to be introduced. All these new initiatives will come up without disturbing the ecological balance and much attention is being given to environmental protection. Nanduri is excited about the forthcoming Tamil Nadu’s Global Investors’ Meet (GIM). “We will work closely with the Industries Department, Guidance Tamil Nadu and other allied departments to showcase our strengths in the tourism sector to the investor”, explained Nanduri.
With Chennai being the medical hub, the tourism department recently organised an international conference where 22 countries participated, and more such meetings are on the promotional map.
Though Tamil Nadu has a stiff competition from its neighbour Kerala (known as God’s own country), Nanduri is sure that the state’s heritage combined with the new policy offers much more. Wrapping up the session, Nanduri firmly laid out his plans to make the state the most sought-after destination in the near future, keeping in line with the tag line of “Tamil Nadu–Where stories never end.”
