Kerala Tourism is to launch three-hour cruises for tourists from Kadinamkulam to Akathumuri by developing a backwater tourism circuit linking Kadinamkulam, Anchuthengu, and Akathumuri lakes.
Starting from Perumathura, 29 km north of the capital city, the cruise will cover Anchuthengu, Kayikkara, Ponnumthuruthu (Golden Island — a privately owned island in Akathumuri lake), and Panayilkadavu, before winding up at Akathumuri. The iconic shikaras of Dal Lake in Srinagar will mostly be used for the cruises that will take three hours to cover the Kadinamkulam-Akathumuri stretch, Minister for Tourism Kadakampally Surendran said. The boat can accommodate 20 tourists. A boat terminal will be set up at Kadinamkulam and it will be able to accommodate even houseboats. Toilets and a snacks corner will be set up at the terminal. The resting place will be built at Panayil Kadavu. Floating jetties will be set up at Perumathura, Anchuthengu, Kayikkara, Ponnumthuruthu, Panayilkadavu, and Akathumuri. The project will be executed under the Thiruvananthapuram District Tourism Promotion Council, the Minister said. Private investors will be roped in for operating house boat cruises. Strict regulations will be in force to check pollution of the waterbodies and the boats will have bio-toilets. A sewerage treatment plant will also be set up.
Kerala Tourism hopes to attract foreign tourists also to the backwater tourism circuit. The project would be extended up to Kappil later, the Minister said.