Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh has stated that the previous YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government stalled the Sayana Buddha project at Ghantasala in Krishna district. The State government is now considering reviving the project, he informed the Andhra Pradesh Assembly on Monday.

Replying to a question by Jana Sena Party (JSP) MLA Mandali Buddha Prasad during the question hour on Monday, the Minister said that the Sayana Buddha project was approved during the period from 2014 to 19.

Recognising Ghantasala’s importance in promoting Buddhist culture and tourism, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government, before 2019, allocated ₹150 lakh through the Tourism Development Corporation to develop Ghantasala as a monastic centre and further enhance its appeal by constructing a reclining Buddha statue. Two slabs of work were completed, and ₹73 lakh was released for the project. However, with the change of government, the remaining funds were not released, and the project, was halted during the 2019-24 period, he said. 

The YSRCP government, known for its destructive tendencies, neglected this project aimed at attracting global tourists interested in Buddhist culture.

No further activities have occurred, and only a portion of the costs for completed work have been paid. The remaining funds are yet to be released. 

Due to the previous government’s mistakes, it is estimated that an additional ₹5.50 crore will be required to complete the project.

However, the coalition National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government is committed to developing the tourism sector and is ready to put the project back on track, thereby bringing significant attention to the reclining Buddha.

The NDA government has plans to officially recommence on July 29, 2025, he added.