Thiruvananthapuram: In a major initiative to renovate and scale up tourism infrastructure across Kerala, State Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran on Monday inaugurated work on 27 projects at a total cost of Rs 187 crore.
Inaugurating the works through video conferencing, Surendran said Tourism in Kerala is fast picking up, putting behind the setback inflicted by Covid-19. “Visitors are coming to tourism centres, which is a good sign. The newly launched tourism projects get a good number of visitors and it will help the revival of tourism sector,” the Minister said.
Noting that no other government in the history of the state has implemented such a large number of projects in the tourism sector, Surendran said, “If the pandemic crisis hadn’t created a hiccup, we would have been able to complete 90 percent of the projects by now. The work on these 27 projects are being initiated with the aim of completing them within the time frame set for them and there is no backing down from the decision.”
Ms Rani George, Principal Secretary, Tourism, said the sites for these projects are selected for their potential to attract more visitors, “Even in the midst of adverse circumstances, we were able to go ahead with a large number of projects. This will give a fillip to the tourism sector across the state,” she added.
Tourism Director P Bala Kiran said the new projects constitute the overall package of tourism sector in all districts. Major schemes like Thalassery Heritage Project and infrastructure development projects in Alappuzha, Varkala, Munnar, Bekal and Karappuzha will firmly position the respective district on the tourism map.
The projects whose works got underway are: Construction of world class restroom complex at Varkala, Alappuzha Beach, Munnar, Bekal, Pookode lake and Karappuzha tourism centres; building a new cottage and renovation of existing ones at Government Guest House, Varkala; development of Chethi Beach using KIIFB Fund; second phase development of Botanical Garden, Munnar; construction of Cruise Tourism Facilitation Centre and Performing Arts Theatre (Koothambalam), Ernakulam; first phase development of Herbet Canal as part of Waterfront Project, Triprayar; first phase tourism development in Nelliyampathi; development of Sunset Beach, Padinjarekkara, Malappuram; Heritage Project at Chaverthara, Thirumandhamkunnu, Angadippuram; Thirunelli Temple Pilgrim Project-Phase I, Wayanad; renovation and restoration of Pookode Lake; Heritage Tourism Projects-Phase II, Thalassery; Payyannur Heritage Tourism, Recreation Centre at Meenkuzhi, Kannur; Adventure Park at Chootad Beach, Kannur; and Litter-free Bekal Destination, Kasaragod.
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