The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : TTDC gears up for aggressive promotion of lesser known centres

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Tuesday, Jun 23, 2009
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

TTDC gears up for aggressive promotion of lesser known centres

N. Anand

Government sanctions Rs.30 crore for developing facilities

To popularise hill stations TTDC will involve tribal people in all campaigns
Tourist spots selection based on study carried out by the department

CHENNAI: With a view to preserving the eco-system and decongesting Udhagamandalam and Kodaikanal, the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) has decided to make lesser known places major tourist destinations.

The State government has sanctioned over Rs.30 crore for developing facilities and providing basic amenities in these places, according to Tourism Secretary V. Irai Anbu.

In the first phase, TTDC has selected Yelagiri in Vellore district, Tharamangalam (Salem), Kolli Hills (Namakkal), Hogenakkal (Dharmapuri), Pulicat (Tiruvallur), Tharangampadi (Nagapattinam), Thiruparappu (Kanyakumari) and Valparai (Coimbatore).

Boat house

Tourism Commissioner A. Chittaranjan Mohandoss has told The Hindu that a boat house will be developed and basic facilities provided in the Kolli Hills at a cost of Rs.3.2 crore. Facilities at Tharangampadi will be expanded at a cost of Rs.3.73 crore. Prviding basic amenities in Sivaganga district will involve an expenditure of Rs.1.26 crore.

Other major works on the anvil are: construction of Yatri Nivas at Valparai at Rs.71 lakh; development of the Vellore Fort area (Rs.89.32 lakh); development of infrastructure at Ratnagiriswarar temple in Karur (Rs.50 lakh); setting up of a musical fountain near Theni (Rs.34 lakh); and construction of a view tower in Kanyakumari (Rs.75 lakh). To popularise hill stations, the TTDC will involve tribal people in all promotional campaigns, conduct adventure sports and provide adequate local transport arrangements.

Study conducted

State Tourism Department officials have decided to popularise these tourist spots based on a study carried out by the department’s Deputy Secretary C.P. Ponnusamy, Deputy Director S. Subramanian and former Tourist Department official M. Balachandran.

“We have been carrying out developmental works in Yelagiri to provide better road connectivity and basic facilities coupled with entertainment. The setting up of a Tourism Park and Tourist Information Centre at the entrance is a step in this direction. The growth in the past three years has been phenomenal and today, Yelagiri is a major tourist hub. The two-week long paragliding sport… is attracting more enthusiasts to this place,” says Mr. Mohandoss.

According to TTDC officials, tourists have been demanding more facilities such as automated teller machines, resorts and theme parks with indoor games, vegetarian hotels, kids train, museum and local transport.

The other places in the list are Periyapalayam (Tiruvallur); Thirukadaiyur; Vedaranyam (Nagapattinam); Thirumanancheri (Thanjavur); Sithannavasal (Pudukottai); Puliancholai (Perambalur); Bhavani Kooduthurai (Erode); Megamalai (Theni); Sirumalai (Dindigul); and Thiruppudaimaruthur (Tirunelveli).

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