Three parks built as part of developing tourism in the city’s major tourist destinations at a total cost of Rs.2.13 crore were thrown open to public use on Wednesday. The parks were developed as part of Central Government’s Ministry of Tourism funded Mega Tourism Projects and Tamil Nadu Tourist Development Corporation’s projects.
Minister for Tourism S. Gokula Indira inaugurated the parks in the presence of Minister for Cooperation, Sellur K.Raju, District Collector, Anshul Mishra, Mayor, V.V.Rajan Chellappa and Corporation Commissioner, R.Nanthagopal.
The park surrounding the Thirumalai Naicker Mahal was built at the cost of Rs.84 lakh with paver blocks and a beautiful garden with small fountains with the TTDC fund. The other three parks were the Madurai West Gate fort wall park near Periyar Bus Stand was renovated at the cost of Rs.75 lakh, the Tulasi Ram Park situated on the entrance of Thirumalai Naicker Mahal was renovated at the cost of Rs. 20 lakh and the park in front of Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple was renovated at the cost of Rs.34 lakh. All the above said parks were part of union government’s Mega Tourism Project.
Under the project, Ministry of Tourism, India extends Central Financial Assistance to the State Governments for tourism projects identified in consultation with them for the improvement of existing tourism products and also for developing new ones. Fully funded Central assistance is given for development of destinations, including mega projects to world standard and also for rural tourism infrastructure development.
Ms. Gokula Indira said that a permanent gallery would be constructed at Alanganallur as part of tourism development project for spectators to witness the traditional sport of jallikattu. The Eco Park at Tirupparankundram will be completed soon and we are waiting for Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s approval to inaugurate the park.
Mr. Raju said that the AIADMK government after assuming power had not only expedited all the pending projects that were “kept in abeyance” during the DMK period but also had taken initiatives for new projects and completed. Traditional folk dances and music were performed by artistes as part of the inauguration programme. A number of foreign tourists and residents of Madurai witnessed the programme.
