TIRUPATI: Shilparamams would soon be set up in Srikakulam and Eluru cities. This will be part of the expansion of Shilparamams, hubs of arts and crafts that provide platform to rural artisans to showcase their talent.
Already phase I of the Shilparamam works have been taken up in Kakinada, Guntur and Vizianagaram and would be completed by the end of this fiscal. Currently, Tirupati is the headquarters of Shilparamam in residual Andhra Pradesh and currently, Shilparamams are operational in Kadapa, Pulivendula, Puttaparthi, Anantapur and Visakhapatnam. In Srikakulam and Eluru, land has been identified, while proposals to set up branches at Kurnool and Ongole are pending.
Setting up of Shilparamam costs around Rs 1 crore and the maintenance cost as of now is being borne by the local unit from rentals of multi-purpose hall, amphitheatre, food courts, entertainment area, boating activities and entry fee.
With the visitor inflow constantly growing, the revenue too is increasing. On holidays, around 2,000 people visit Shilparamams, while on weekdays, the number would be around 600. Tirupati Shilparamam gets around `10 lakh per month, while Kapada unit gets Rs 8 lakh. Newly opened Anantapur branch gets around Rs 5 lakh a month. Puttaparthi unit is getting less revenue as it has only food courts, amphitheatre and artisan stalls, said GM PGS Sai.
He said a handicrafts museum would be opened from October 15 in Tirupati and similar museums would be established in Kadapa and Visakhapatnam also after getting the nod from the development commissioner, Handicrafts, Government of India. He said to encourage artisans, no rents would be collected from them for the first four months.