Kerala - Kozhikode   

Kodiyeri sets timescale for Malabar tourism projects

Kozhikode: Home and Tourism Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has asked officials to complete tourism projects estimated at Rs.300 crore in the Malabar region this financial year.

He was speaking at a meeting on Tuesday called to review the tourism projects being undertaken in Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode, Malappuram and Wayanad districts. As much as Rs.100 crore of the sum has been allocated as the Malabar package.

Mr. Balakrishnan said that project delays, especially in tenders, should be examined and corrective measures suggested. The officials failed to understand that developing a tourism destination required completion of all sanctioned projects and the ability to visualise its complete potential while proposing projects. In this respect, he cited the Sarovaram Bio Park at Kozhikode, where work had been constantly on but the departments did not coordinate it with one another.

He said no more projects would be sanctioned until officials identified land suitable for them. Scarcity of land had delayed development of several sites or led to failure of projects.

Mr. Balakrishnan said P.B. Salim, District Collector, Kozhikode, had brought to his notice how tourism spots languished without maintenance. The District Tourism Promotion Council, under the District Collector and the Destination Management Council comprising people’s representatives and officials and chaired by the local MLA, would be in charge of the day-to-day affairs of tourism sites.

He said the Bekal Fort in Kasaragod would emerge as the major tourism destination in Malabar with the implementation of two projects. Malabar was gaining attention in the global tourism industry, and to serve as the gateway to the region, Kozhikode should improve its infrastructure quickly.

The Minister said preparations had begun to ensure the success of the Grand Kerala Shopping Festival from December 1 to January 15. The festival, on its way to becoming an international shopping event, was being coordinated by the Ministries of Tourism, Industry and Finance.

The Minister reserved his opinion on the Thekkady boat tragedy, and said he would wait for the court’s judgment. Safety measures on boats across the State were being inspected now and boat services would be resumed at Thekkady soon.

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