tadepalligudem l sunday l june 29, 2025 l `12.00 l PAGES 24 l city EDITION DNA test identifies last victim of plane crash; FINAL toll 260 Over two weeks after the Ahmedabad plane crash, the toll now stands at 260, down from 270 reported earlier, officials said on Saturday Remains of all 260 victims handed to kin ‘dna matching process too complicated’ The bodies of all 260 victims have been handed over to the relatives. Of the 241 passengers and crew members who died, the mortal remains of 240 had been identified earlier while one body was pending for match. The matching of the DNA samples confirmed the victim’s identity on Friday. Till June 23, officials had confirmed the identity of 259 victims ■ ■ An official release said DNA matching was complicated as several bodies had to be identified since they were beyond recognition The 260 victims of the plane crash included 200 Indians — 181 passengers plus crew and 19 ground victims. The others included seven Portuguese nationals, 52 British nationals and one Canadian 2 weeks was time taken to complete identification of dna samples CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOgGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI Award will open Agniveer Remittance tax cut induction door into forces to 1% in latest big, beautiful bill draft Gallantry medal or participation in global event will make the cut MAYAN K SIN G H @ New Delhi Agniveers who participate in any international event or get gallantry medals, including the Sena Medal, will be inducted permanently into the services, as per a new document seen by this newspaper. They would be part of the 25% who make the cut for permanent induction after four years of serving as Agniveers. Over all, Agniveers will undergo four sets of evaluations. For context, the first batch of Agniveers are in their third round of assessment. “Agniveer recipients of the Sena medal and above like Ashok Chakra, Kirti Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra, will surely be retained as permanent soldiers,” the document says. These awards are given for exceptional acts of bravery cour, age or self-sacrifice. Those who get ‘Mention in Dispatches’ will get 25 extra marks. Mention in Dispatches is awarded for distinguished and meritorious service in operational areas and acts of gallantry, which are not of a suf- express impact Ordeal of ASR tribal kids ends with NRSTC U s h a P e r i @ Visakhapatnam press clusive Three, two ka one Tests at the regimental centre include drill, physical test and firing. The recruits get three chances in each test; only the best score is uploaded in the data. In the subsequent phases of tests, they are given two chances ficiently high order to warrant gallantry awards. Similarly ex, tra marks will be given to Agniveers getting Commendation cards from the Chief, Army Commanders and the Corps Commanders. Besides, Agniveers recruited as sportspersons and others Good news is on the horizon for the children of Solubongu, a remote tribal hamlet under Pinakota Panchayat in Anantagiri mandal of Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR) district. The children from Solubongu have been walking nearly 2 km, and crossing another 2.5 km by boat across the Raiwada reservoir to attend the MPP school at Tamarabba in Devarapalli mandal of the neighbouring Anakapalle district. The New Indian Express was the first to highlight the issue with a report under the headline ‘Tribal children risk lives to attend school’. After it drew significant public attention, the State Scheduled Tribes ComPrime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with Group mission intervened, and asked Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, aboard ISS | PTI 3 yrs $ ASR district officials to submit a detailed report. Inter 2nd-year Resident doctors in Goa as per the direcOn Saturday , girl student say they’ll strike work if found dead tions ofnot apologise ASR District Collector Rane does in Anantapur AS Dinesh Kumar, Araku Tribal Welfare Department Executive Engineer Venu Gopal, and Additional District Project CoFresh violence, curfew in Manipur ordinator of Sarva Shiksha AbBhartiya Antriksh Station hiyan R Swami Naidu, visited B o s k y k h a n n a @Bengaluru (BAS) by 2035 and ISRO’s indigSolubongu. T he of ficials reached Solubongu by boat to InDIA’s Group Captain Shu- enous lunar manned mission experience firsthand the diffi- banshu Shukla, who is also the by 2040. mission pilot of the Axiom-4 Shux told the PM that all the culties faced by the children. National Guard troops out in LA mission, during his interaction astronauts aboard the ISS hailAddressing the villagers, protests escalate as immigration Swami Naidu announced that with Prime Minister Narendra ing from different nationalities the Collector had approved the Modi, from the International had expressed their desire to immediate establishment of a Space Station (ISS), said: “Sky visit the BAS when it is ready limit, Non-Residential Special Train- is never the CHIRAG not for me, and up in space. “I am absorbing all that I’ve ing Centre (NRSTC) in the vil- not for you, and not for the 140 P4 crore Indians” — a progressive learnt during my year-long lage.  ALCARAZ TOPS EPIC FINAL departure from the famed In- training and what I am now dian Air Force motto, “Sky is learning on the ISS like a Anirudh, Harsha secure top ranks in Tribal children risk lives to attend school engg and agri steams of AP EAPCET the limit.” sponge. This will help India in During the 18.05-minute-long the upcoming missions,” Shukconversation with the PM on la told Modi. Saturday, Shukla (call sign The Prime Minister said: ‘Shux’) said the mission was a “This mission of Shukla is not step towards India’s own Ga- just limited to space, but will ganyaan space mission sched- speed up and channelise India’s uled for 2027, setting up the Viksit Bharat journey .” VIJAYAWADA  MONDAY  JUNE 09, 2025  `9.00  PAGES 12  LATE CITY EDITION MAHARASHTRA, KARNATAKA ACCOUNT FOR 51% OF FDI IN FY25 DELHI, GUJARAT, TAMIL NADU AMONG TOP FIVE IMPROVEMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE HELPED Maharashtra attracted the highest foreign inflows at $19.6 billion and accounted for 31% of total FDI during April-March 2024-25. Karnataka got $6.62 billion FDI during the last fiscal year, data showed. The two states were followed by Delhi ($6 billion), Gujarat ($5.71 billion), Tamil Nadu ($3.68 billion), Haryana ($3.14 billion), and Telangana ($3 billion) Maharashtra and Karnataka accounted for 51% of FDI inflows into the country during FY 2024-25, as per the Union government ■ ■ According to experts, the main reason for the robust inflows in Maharashtra and Karnataka is the substantial improvement in infrastructure, making them attractive destinations for FDI in India Total FDI, which includes equity inflows, grew 14% to $81.04 bn, as per data from Dept for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade THE TOTAL FDI INFLOW IN FY25 WAS THE HIGHEST IN THE LAST THREE YEARS Sky is never the limit, Shux tells PM from space CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOGGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI Dr Rajesh Patil and said, “Replace him with another CMO. I A day after Goa health minister want him to be suspended imVishwajit Rane lambasted a mediately... ” senior doctor at Goa Medical The Goa branch of Indian College and Hospital (GMCH) Medical Association conand ordered his suspension in demned the minister’s action public, the Goa Assoand sought the reinciation of Resident statement of the docDoctors (GARD) on tor. The Congress, Sunday issued a 48Aam Aadmi Party, hour ultimatum to and Revolutionary the health minister Goans Party also and sought a public slammed Rane for his apology, failing which “arrogance”. On Sunthey would go on inday, Goa Chief Minisdefinite strike. ter Pramod Sawant On Saturday, Rane took to X to clarify had paid a surprise that the CMO will not visit to GMCH, locatbe suspended. Yes, as the health ed at Bambolim near However, GARD on minister, I did intervene and I Panaji. During his Sunday threatened a visit, Rane received a accept that my tone strike unless its decomplaint that Chief and words could have mands are met immebeen more measured. Medical Officer diately. GARD called I am not above (CMO) Dr Rudresh for immediate revocareflection or Kuttikar was refus- criticism. However, I tion of the suspening to treat a patient sion; public apology will not apologise and misbehaving, by Rane; ban on filmVishwajit Rane sources said. A viral ing inside emergency video showed Rane wing, and an end to walking into the casualty ward political bullying in hospitals. and confronting the CMO. “You “Barring swift resolution in 48 learn to control your tongue. hours, we will be forced to escaYou are a doctor... you have to late our mass protests in the behave yourself,” Rane told form of a strike,” GARD said in Dr Kuttikar. He, then, turned to a press release on Sunday. GMCH medical superintendent (With agency inputs) E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @ Chennai EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Anantapur Charred remains of a bus used for transporting central forces, which was set on fire by a mob, in Imphal East district, Manipur, on Sunday | PTI Violent protests erupt again following arrest of Meitei leaders; internet banned for five days EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Guwahati PROHIBITORY orders were clamped in five districts in Manipur after protests erupted over the arrest of Meitei leaders. The administration also suspended internet and mobile data services, including VSAT and VPN facilities. The restrictions will remain for a period of five days in Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Kakching districts. “There is apprehension that some anti-social elements might use social media extensively for transmission of im- LEGISLATORS MEET GUV, SEEK SOLUTION A multi-party delegation of MLAs met Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Sunday to seek his intervention to find an amicable solution. The governor told the delegation that all necessary steps wre being taken to restore normalcy, the Raj Bhavan said ages, hate speech and hate video messages inciting the passions of the public which might have serious repercussions for the law and order situation in the state of Manipur,” read a government order. The protests started after Kanan Singh, a top leader of Meitei radical group Arambai Tenggol, was arrested along with four others on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigation said it arrested an Arambai Tenggol member at the Imphal Airport. “He was involved in various criminal activities related to Manipur violence in 2023,” it said in a statement, without disclosing the name. The CBI is investigating Manipur violence cases as per the directions of the Supreme Court. When the forces went to take Singh into custody, they faced stiff resistance from his supporters, who burnt tyres on the roads and shouted slogans. Locals said they heard gunshots in Imphal’s Kwakeithel area. In another development, the National Investigation Agency arrested “three insurgents” in a case related to attack on security forces that had killed two police commandos. The Arambai Tenggol has announced a 10-day statewide shutdown demanding release of their members. EXPRESS READ Tech issues mar AP teacher transfers Vijayawada: The teacher transfer process in the state has turned chaotic, with many teachers expressing frustration over technical issues, unkept promises, and the government’s decision to go ahead with online counselling despite earlier assurances. What started in May with hopes of a smooth and transparent process has now led to serious concerns and growing anger among teachers across the state | P2 A G E N C I E S @ Los Angeles In letter to Modi, Yunus cites ‘mutual respect’ Dhaka: The spirit of mutual respect and understanding will continue to guide India and Bangladesh in working for people’s welfare, Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus said in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Yunus’ letter was in response to Modi’s message conveying Eid-ul-Adha greetings to Bangladeshi people. Yunus said that Modi’s “thoughtful” message “reflects the shared values” In what was the longest French Open men’s singles final (5 hrs & 29 mins), Carlos Alcaraz (in pic) made one of the biggest comebacks to successfully defend his crown against World No 1 Jannik Sinner on Sunday. Alcaraz saved 3 match points during the fourth set before going on to capture his 2nd Roland Garros crown. The Spaniard won 4-6, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2) and now has five Major titles to his name | AP IN a rare move, US President Donald Trump on Sunday deployed National Guard troops to Los Angeles to deal with violent protests against immigration enforcement raids. Trump ordered the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops against the advice of California Governor Gavin Newsom. The development came after two days of confrontations during which federal agents fired flash-bang grenades and tear gas toward crowds angry at the arrests of dozens of migrants in a city with a large Latino population. “The Trump Administration has a zero tolerance policy for criminal behaviour and violence, especially when that violence is aimed at law enforcement officers trying to do their jobs,” White House Press Secre- US National Guards deployed outside a federal prison in Los Angeles on Sunday following an immigration raid protest the night before | AFP tary Karoline Leavitt said. Newsom called the decision “purposefully inflammatory”, adding that Trump was deploying the National Guard “not because there is a shortage of law enforcement, but because they want a spectacle.” Meanwhile, Defence Secre- tary Pete Hegseth threatened to deploy the US military if protests escalate. Reacting sharply to this, Newsom said it shows Hegseth’s “deranged behaviour” to be “threatening to deploy active-duty Marines on American soil against its own citizens.” THE brutal murder of an Intermediate student has created a stir in Anantapur. According to CI G Raju of Kuderu Urban Police Station, Saake Tanmayi (20), a resident of Ramakrishna Colony in Anantapur, was murdered behind Manipal School, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Kuderu Police Station. An FIR was registered at the One Town Police Station in Anantapur last Wednesday (June 4). While investigating the case, police recovered an unidentified dead body on Saturday evening. The body was immediately shifted to the Anantapur Government Hospital for a postmortem. The parents identified the body based on specific marks and clothing. Police said there was a major head injury. “The girl went missing on Tuesday evening (June 3), and her parents filed a missing complaint the following day We . registered an FIR and began the investigation. The next day, we questioned the girl’s college friends and all possible suspects. Meanwhile, on Saturday evening, an unidentified dead body was found. Today, her parents identified it as their daughter Tanmayi’s. There was no delay in our investigation,” said G. Rajendranath Yadav, CI of One Town Police Station. Minister for HRD and IT, Nara Lokesh expressed deep anguish over the murder of Intermediate student Tanmayi. In a statement on Sunday, he asserted that there is no place for psychopaths in the coalition government and made it clear that the accused in the murder case would be dealt with severely. He assured the bereaved family that he would stand by them on all fronts. FOR the tribal children of Solubongu village in Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR) district, the school day begins not with the ring of a bell or the sight of a school bus, but with a boat ride across the Raiwada canal. To attend classes at a school in Tamarabba, located in neighbouring Anakapalle district, the children must travel nearly 2.5 kilometres by boat. During rainy season, when water levels rise and boats cannot operate, they are forced to walk more than four kilometres through dense forest and hilly terrain. On Sunday, the children and their parents staged a silent protest, urging the government to establish a school in their village. With the academic year about to begin in a few days, they requested the government to set EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Vijayawada Tribal students of Solubongu hamlet in ASR district take a boat ride to reach school; (Right) Protesting students | EXPRESS up a Non-Residential Special Training Centre (NRSTC) as an immediate measure to help their children receive basic education without the daily hardships of long and unsafe travel. “During heavy rains, it is impossible for children to attend school. A training centre in the village would allow them to continue their studies without interruption,” said, the parents. Solubongu is home to 16 families from the Nooka Dora and Konda Dora tribal communities, with a population of about 76. The villagers have also re- quested the establishment of an Anganwadi centre to support early childhood care. Despite having access to drinking water and electricity, the villagers must travel nearly 40 kilometres to Pinakota panchayat to collect monthly raP4 tion supplies. AVANAGANTI Anirudh Reddy from Hyderabad secured the top rank while Mandavyapuram Bhanu Charan Reddy of Srikalahasti and Kotipalli Yaseanth Satwik from Palacole took the second and third ranks, respectively, in the Andhra Pradesh Engineering, Agriculture & Pharmacy Common Entrance Test (AP EAPCET) 2025. The results of the AP EAPCET 2025 were officially released on Sunday evening by Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Kakinada (JNTUK), which conducted the exam on behalf of the Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE). Minister for Higher Education Nara Lokesh announced the results via social media platform X, congratulating all Toppers RVNS Harshavardhan and A Anirudh Reddy celebrate on Sunday | EXPRESS the successful candidates. In the Agriculture and Pharmacy stream, the top rank was claimed by Ramayanam Venkata Naga Sai Harshavardhan from Penamaluru in Krishna district. Shanmukha Nishanth Akshintala from Chanda Nagar, Te l a n g a n a , a n d D e g a l a Akirananda Vinay Mallesh Kumar from Chopela village in Dr B R Ambedkar Konaseema district secured the second and third positions, respectively. Out of the total 3,62,448 can- $38 bn sent home from US India was the top remittance recipient in 2024. Its total remittance receipts stood at $137.70 billion during 2024 (on a calendar year basis). As per an RBI report, 28% of India’s inward remittances came from the US – making it $38 billion j aya n t h j a c o b @ New Delhi President Donald Trump’s tax on outward remittance could pinch NRIs much less than was anticipated. In its latest update to its draft, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act seeks to impose a 1% levy against the earlier proposal of 3.5% on money sent overseas by non-US citizens. The bill had originally suggested a 5% tax, which was reduced to 3.5%, and now 1%. Senate Republicans released their updated draft of the proposed One Big Beautiful Bill Act on June 27 and have set a self-imposed deadline of July 4 to try to pass the bill. The updated Senate version significantly changes the remittance transfer provisions that were passed by House Republicans. Apart from proposing a muchreduced tax rate, the proposal exempts transfers from accounts held at banks and other financial institutions and also excludes transfers made via debit and credit cards issued in the United States. The remittance transfer tax will apply only to any remittance transfer for which the sender provides cash, a money order, a cashier’s check, or other similar physical instrument to the remittance transfer provider. This tax will apply to transfers made after December 31, 2025. “This should come as a huge relief to the NRI community in the US,” said Lloyd Pinto, Partner — US Tax, Grant Thornton Bharat. INDIA has imposed immediate restrictions on import of jute and allied fibre products from Bangladesh, reflecting growing tensions in bilateral relations. These new measures apply to all land and seaports across the country, with the exception of Nhava Sheva seaport in Maharashtra, a notification from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said. However, these restrictions will not apply to goods exported by Bangladesh to Nepal and Bhutan. At the same time, the “re-export” of such Bangladeshi goods from Nepal or Bhutan into India “will not be allowed.” Under the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) agreement, Bangladesh’s jute exports currently enjoy duty-free access to the Indian market. Concerns, however, have persisted for years within the Indian jute industry about the adverse impact of dumped and subsidised imports, particularly jute yarn, fibre, woven fabrics, and bags originating from Bangladesh. “This has been putting Indian industry in disadvantageous position as there is credible evidence that Bangladeshi jute exports continue to benefit from subsidies by the government,” said a source. In response, the Directorate General of Anti-Dumping and Allied Duties had earlier imposed anti-dumping duties on jute and related goods from Bangladesh. But those duties didn’t work to India’s benefit as expected. change of guard in ap Caste dynamics at BJP State president election B SN M a l l e s w a r a R a o @ Vijayawada There are high chances of choosing a new face for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State president on June 30, though the elections are set to take place on July 1. Although the party is conducting the elections to follow internal democracy, BJP leaders are known for their discipline in adhering to the party line, and may unanimously elect the new president. Potential candidates include BC leader PVN Madhav from Uttarandhra, Adoni MLA PV Parthasarathi from Rayalaseema, and Vishnuvardhan Reddy, all of whom didates who applied, 3,40,300 appeared for the exam across Engineering, Agriculture & Pharmacy streams. The overall pass percentage stood at 75.67%, with 2,57,509 students qualifying. In the Engineering stream, 2,64,840 candidates appeared, and 1,89,748 qualified, marking a pass rate of 71.65%. In the Agriculture and Pharmacy streams, 75,460 candidates appeared, and 67,761 quali f i e d , a c h i ev i n g a p a s s P4 percentage of 89.8%. Now, India imposes jute import bar from B’desh D i pa k M o n d a l @ New Delhi have strong ties to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and are expected to file their nominations in Vijayawada on Monday . The BJP’s internal dynamics suggest a preference for leaders with long-standing service to the party . The BJP leadership is reportedly planning to allow a Backward Class (BC) leader to lead as the State president. This decision comes after a pattern of appointments following the State’s bifurcation, where four presidents were appointed - two from the Kamma caste, and two from the Kapu community, with two having RSS background, and two being former Congress leaders. The BJP’s internal sentiment suggests a preference for promoting leaders who have long been dedicated to the party’s service. Health Minister Y Satya Kumar Yadav’s name has been floated as a potential candidate, but he is unlikely to file his nomination, given his key portfolio. The chances of the reappointment of incumbent president Daggubati Purandeswari appear slim. Vijayawada West Constituency MLA Sujana Chowdary , a financially independent and prominent figure in the capital region, is also in consideration, but he is reportedly hesitant to contest without explicit direction from the party’s top P4 leadership. WITH THIS ISSUE The Sword Of David PLUS 12 P AGES express read PASWAN TO CONTEST BIHAR ELECTIONS Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief and Union minister Chirag Paswan on Sunday announced that he would contest upcoming Bihar assembly elections but avoided naming his constituency | P8 UNSAFE BOAT RIDE FOR EDUCATION U S H A P E R I @ Visakhapatnam participating in any international event will get permanent recruitment. Also, those participating in national events will be given 10 extra marks. Participation in services level events will give them six more marks in their assessment tests. The total assessment will be of 1,000 marks, which will have to be completed and entered in the data sheet three months prior to the Agniveers completing their four-year service period and returning home. As for the first batch, the assessment data entry has to be wrapped up by October 2026. Of the four levels of assessment, the first one will be within 31 weeks of the Agniveer’s induction; the second at 18 months; the third in 30 months and the last in 42 months, just six months before exiting the unit as Agniveer. To make it transparent, the first assessment is done at the regimental centre; the second and third at the unit; and the final one by the higher formation like the division/brigade under which the unit functions. anti-dumping Free bus travel plan for women in final stage Shrimp disease hits aqua sector Prevent outbreak of diseases: CM Parag Jain appointed new chief of RAW Vijayawada: Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu held a review meeting with APSRTC officials at his Undavalli camp office on Saturday to discuss the rollout of the free bus travel for women on August 15 as part of NDA’s Super Six promises | P4 Vijayawada: A fresh outbreak of shrimp diseases is devastating aquaculture in Andhra Pradesh, dealing a heavy blow to farmers already burdened by low prices. About one-third of the State’s six lakh acres under shrimp farming has been affected | P4 Vijayawada: With the onset of monsoon, Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu stressed the need to prevent disease outbreaks in the State, directing officials at a review meeting to ensure clean surroundings, and safe drinking water | P4 New Delhi: Parag Jain, one of the brains behind the meticulous planning of ‘Operation Sindoor’, has been appointed as the new Chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), according to an official order issued here on Saturday | P7 luxury on wheels State-of-the-art caravans usher in a new chapter in AP travel and tourism K K a lya n K r i s h n a K u m a r @ Vijayawada Unveiled by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu at the Tourism Tech AI 2.0 Conclave in Vijayawada on Friday state, of-the-art caravans usher in a new chapter in travel and tourism in Andhra Pradesh. In collaboration with Hyderabad Luxe Caravans, the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) showcased two high-end caravans, a 10 or 12-seater, and a 6-seater at the conclave. The luxurious vehicles drew widespread attention for their stylish design, and premium amenities. Each caravan is fully equipped with star hotel-grade features, including a bed, a mini-conference area, television, fridge, microwave, kitchen, AC, washroom, sound system, and security cameras. The State government is set to unveil the new caravan tourism policy by July 30. It is aimed at bridging the shortage of star hotel rooms in popular tourist The newly showcased caravan at the Tourism Tech AI 2.0 Conclave in Vijayawada, and its interiors | Express circuits. By then, the government plans to deploy more caravans across major tourist destinations. The caravan cost for a family of 12, including two children, will be less than car travel and star hotel accommodation, besides the rich experience. Explaining the bold new initiative, Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation Managing Director Amrapali Kata, said, “Construction of star hotels is a costly affair. That’s why we are introducing luxury caravans to overcome the shortage of rooms. The high-end facilities in the caravans will amaze tourists.” The manufacturer has come forward to operate a caravan for a minimum `40,000 for 10 members depending on the distance. This brings the per-head cost to around `4,000, far more economical than car travel and luxury hotel accommodation. The caravans are set to revolutionise travel and tourism in the State, the APTDC P4 MD added.