Narrow roads and poor infra mar spirit of Pakala Beach Festival

The recently held Pakala Beach Festival in Prakasam district highlighted the poor infrastructure facilities, such as narrow roads and lack of hotels, in the region. The festival was organised on February 14-15, 2026, and drew nearly two lakh visitors to Pakala village in Singarayakonda mandal of Prakasam district.

Due to the heavy rush on both days, even bureaucrats and public representatives had to suffer for hours in traffic jams while attending the event. There were also incidents of vehicles slipping off the road edges. Local residents have demanded the construction of a road connecting National Highway (NH-16) to the beach.

“The government is spending huge amount on an events that last for a day or two, but is not focussing on providing permanent roads. This beach is very close to the highway and it can attract the tourists going towards Tirupati and Chennai if proper road is laid,” said Vekaiah, a food vendor from Kandukur.

A.P. Maritime Board (APMB) Chairman Damacharla Satyanarayana urged Minister for Roads and Buildings (R&B) B. C. Janardhan Reddy to develop the 6-km road from NH-16 to the beach. Responding positively to his request, Mr. Janardhan Reddy has assured to discuss the issue with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and provide road network in the village.

Due to lack of hotels near the beach, the tourists went to Singarayakonda or Ongole for accommodation after attending the event. Speaking to The Hindu, A.P. Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) Chairman Nukasani Balaji revealed plans to set up restaurants, resorts, and hotels near Pakala beach under public–private partnership (PPP) mode similar to Tharang Resorts near Ramathirtham beach.

“Apart from this, the APTDC is trying to establish a park, pathways, wash rooms, dress-changing rooms, and two more bay-watch towers with ₹4-5 crore over the next two or three months,” he said.