The Hindu : Front Page : Tourism works in full swing

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Friday, May 09, 2008
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Tourism works in full swing

S.Ganesan

Photo: M. Moorthy

AMUSEMENT: A park set up behind the Pundarikaksha Perumal Temple at Tiruvellarai near Tiruchi. —

TIRUCHI: Tourism development works sanctioned for four major heritage and tourists attractions in the district at a cost of Rs.6.24 crores are in full swing.

Amenities were being given a facelift in and around the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple at Srirangam, the Pundarikaksha Perumal Temple at Tiruvellarai, the Uttamar Kovil in the outskirts of Tiruchi and the picnic centre of Puliancholai on the foot of the Kolli hills near Thuraiyur.

The works sanctioned at Tiruvellarai, Uttamarkovil and Puliancholai would be completed by June end and those at Srirangam would be completed by October, according to Collector T. Soundiah.

Tiruvellarai, one of the 108 Divya Desams, is situated about 18 kms from here. This and the Uttamar Kovil are being developed under the Chola Nattu Thirupathigal Tourism Circuit.

The works at Tiruvellarai are nearing completion. Apart from converting the car streets into cement roads, toilets and rest rooms have been constructed. An attractive park, resembling the famous Swastik-shaped well behind the temple, has been established. The landscaped park with decorative illumination was expected to be a good draw.

A green cover is to be provided around the majestic temple rampart walls, standing over 30 feet tall. The department has sanctioned Rs.1.12 crore for Tiruvellarai, Tourism Officer T.Pushparaj said. At Uttamarkovil, rest-sheds, park, compound walls and cement roads have been sanctioned at a cost of Rs.40.65 lakh. In Puliancholai, a popular picnic spot some 65 km away from here, a new bathing ghat is being constructed under the programme.

At Srirangam the works have been slightly delayed due to problems in identification of suitable site for public toilets.

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