Hyderabad, Sept. 27 -- The Andhra Pradesh government's proposal to convert the controversial beach-front Rushikonda palatial complex in Visakhapatnam into an international-standard hospitality destination through public-private partnership has hit the road block with no private player expressing interest in the project, state tourism minister Kandula Durgesh said on Saturday.

Addressing reporters in Rajahmundry, Durgesh said the previous YSRCP regime had built the Rushikonda palace for "personal luxury" rather than commercial viability. "Major hospitality companies are currently not willing to take over the Rushikonda Palace buildings because the large room sizes do not suit standard hotel operations," he said.

The minister, however, sa...