The Tourism Department on Thursday announced a packed calendar of events beginning Friday with an ‘entertainment and shopping expo’ to be held at the new port ground, Uppalam.
“We want to attract international and domestic tourists. We have made arrangements for security and travel for these events,” said P. Rajavelu, Minister for Tourism.
The expo, which will be held from May 23 to June 15, will be inaugurated by Chief Minister N. Rangasamy. Projects worth about Rs. 200 crore have been forwarded for Central assistance, said W.V.R. Murthy, Tourism Secretary.
The department had received sanction for the Arikamedu project and the Oussudu Lake project. A detailed project report for washrooms for tourists, Mahe river walkway and a health resort had been submitted. Plans for development of heritage areas of Puducherry, renovation of the beach promenade, pilgrim facilities in Villianur, and eco beaches along the coastline are in the pipeline. The calendar includes food, wine, film, adventure sports and sand sculpture festivals, Tour de Pondy cyclothon, art and craft, theatre and classical music fests, treasure hunt, fashion week, Pétanque tournament and a marathon spread over May to December.
