As the Courtallam season that would usually start in June first week with the onset of southwest monsoon along the Western Ghats is likely to commence this year within a couple of weeks, Collector M. Karunakaran chaired a meeting held at the tourist destination on Wednesday to review the preparations to be made during the three-month season.
Addressing the meeting, Dr. Karunakaran exhorted the officials to take every possible effort to make the visitors’ stay here a pleasant and memorable one by ensuring visitor-friendly environment.
“Since the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court has given directions on the steps to be taken to transform Courtallam into a better tourist destination and to ensure the safety and security of the visitors, especially women, children and the aged, the official should take every measure to translate these directions into action,” the Collector said.
While asking the Courtallam town panchayat administration to ensure a better sanitation around the waterfalls by clearing garbage, Dr. Karunakaran told them to keep all the parks clean by deploying adequate number of conservancy workers.
Women sanitary workers in uniform should be deployed near the changing rooms close to the waterfalls and the sanitary complexes. The ban on use-and-throw plastic products should be strictly imposed.
The police administration has been told to deploy police personnel near the waterfalls and all vital points round-the-clock to keep anti-socials and troublemakers at bay. The Collector also told the police to repair all 50 surveillance cameras fitted last year following the Court’s direction and ensure the smooth functioning of all the cameras with the control room which should be monitored round-the-clock.
“Moreover, breathalyzers should be deployed in adequate number on all arterial roads in and around Courtallam to curb the movements of vehicle drivers under the influence of alcohol and the troublemakers entering waterfalls in an inebriated condition,” Dr. Karunakaran ordered.
While instructing the Department of Public Health to open first-aid booth near all waterfalls, the Collector asked the officials to station ‘108 Ambulance’ round-the-clock near Main Falls, Five Falls and Old Courtallam.
The Collector directed the officials attached to the Department of Highways to repair all the roads in and around Courtallam before the onset of southwest monsoon. “The roadside pits should also be filled up as unwary walkers, especially children and the aged, may be affected,” he said.
The Tangedco officials were told to restore the low-lying overhead power cables and maintain the street lights and the officials of Food Safety Department were asked to check the quality of foodstuff being served in the hotels and the sale of products that had crossed shelf life.
Dr. Karunakaran also inspected a few shops at Five Falls, Main Falls and Old Courtallam and asked owners not to use banned plastic products and not to sell banned oil, shikakai powder, soaps and shampoo.
“Only prescribed parking fee should be collected in the approved parking areas. If not, just cancel the contract awarded and register a case against the erring contractor and his personnel,” Dr. Karunakaran ordered.
The Collector sanctioned ₹27 lakh for sprucing up the Courtallam town panchayat cottages.
District Revenue Officer P. Muthuramalingam, Revenue Divisional Officer, Tenkasi, Rajendran, Assistant Director of Town Panchayats Mahin Abubucker, District Tourism Officer Nelson, District Social Welfare Officer Muthulakshmi, Regional Transport Officer Sashi and senior officials participated in the meeting.
