Puducherry Chief Minister V.Narayanasamy on Tuesday said that the development of tourism in Puducherry would on a par with Goa.
“After Goa, Puducherry would be the next tourist destination in south India,” he said.
Addressing a press conference, Mr.Narayanasamy said that under Swadesh Darshan scheme, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, has sanctioned ₹66.34 crore for Heritage Tourism Circuit and ₹40.68 crore for Spiritual Tourism Circuit. “The Ministry has sanctioned a total amount of ₹107.02 crore and has released ₹ 21.40 crore as first instalment,” he said.
He added that initially the Tourism Department, Puducherry, had sent a concept proposal for the development of Heritage Tourism Circuit for ₹120 crore and Spiritual Tourism Circuit for ₹150 crore to the Ministry of Tourism under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
“After the officials from the Ministry inspected the sites and advised to re-cost the proposal. Accordingly, under the Heritage Circuit was revised to ₹81.21 crore and Spiritual Circuit was revised to ₹74.50 crore.
Nearly seven plans under the Heritage Circuit and 10 plans under the Spiritual Circuit have been sanctioned,” he said.
CM happy
Mr. Narayanasamy underlined that Puducherry has been allocated copious funds for promotion of tourism when compared with other states.
States like Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karantaka, and Maharashtra have received not more than ₹40 crore but Puducherry alone has got ₹107.02 crore due to the consistent effort of Tourism Minister Malladi Krishna Rao and the department officials.
“I have also met the Central ministers several times and sought their support to develop tourism in Puducherry,” he said.
Mr. Rao thanked the Member of Parliament R. Radhakrishnan and Central ministers for their support in sanctioning of the project.
Under the Heritage Circuit the following works will be taken up:
Beautification and extension of beach promenade in southern and northern side (Raj Bhavan and Uppalm Constituency) – ₹20.04 crore; Revitalisation of streetscapes in the Heritage Area in Puducherry (Raj Bhavan constituency) – ₹8.74 crore; Art and Cultural complex at Old Distillery premises in Puducherry– ₹20.70 crore;
Beautification and improvement of Nehru Street in Puducherry (Raj Bhavan constituency) – ₹2.21 crore
Development of Franco-Tamil village in Puducherry (Ariyankuppam constituency) – ₹ 6.07 crore
Beautification of Grand Canal (500 m) in Puducherry (Raj Bhavan constituency) – ₹3.52 crore
Toilet facilities will be provided at tourist spots at ₹1.90 crore.
Under Spiritual Circuit the following works will be taken up: Development of Sri Kokilambal Thirukameswarar Temple, Villianur constituency (₹4.45 crore), Gangai Varaga Natheeswarar Temple, Thirukanchi, Puducherry (₹5.82 crore), Spritual Park at Thirunallar, Karaikal (₹7.40 crore); Sacred Pond at Thirunallar, Karaikal (₹2.20 crore), Sri Badra Kali Amman Temple, Ambagarathur, Karaikal (₹2.75 crore), Sri Jadepureswarar Temple, TR Pattinam, Karaikal (₹2.65 crore), Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple, Yanam (₹5.45 crore), pathways and ghat along Godavari River in Yanam (₹5.90 crore), St.Vinorpu Annai Church, Nellithope (₹1.38 crore), Church at Yanam (₹73 lakh).
