The district administration and the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) are in the final stages of preparing a Rs.50 crore mega tourism project for the district, which will be submitted to the Centre within two months.
Addressing a press conference here on Friday after an executive committee meeting of the DTPC, District Collector Mini Antony and DTPC secretary Vinu Kumar said the project, titled ‘The Alappuzha Tourism Circuit Project’ envisaged linking of all the potential tourism spots in the district, right from Aroor to Kayamkulam, and developing the infrastructure there so as to attract tourists, both foreign and domestic.
The project will also explore the possibilities of hitherto unexploited tourist spots apart from upgrading existing facilities in already popular tourist centres. Setting up of restaurants, recreation zones, constructing walkways, opening boating facilities, curio shops and landscaping are among the planned activities.
The project report is being prepared by Chennai-based landscape architect and environment planner K. Raghuraman, Ms. Antony said.
Making a brief presentation on the project, Mr. Raghuraman said the proposed spots to be developed would include the Karumadikuttan, a black granite statue of Lord Buddha considered to be at least 700 years old, at Karumadi near Thakazhi. A refreshment zone, curio shop, parking facilities, a boat jetty and a facelift to the idol would be done here.
The other spots included the Kuthiravattam Chira and Vayyamkara Chira, freshwater lakes where camping facilities, boating arrangements, cycle tracks, walkways, angling facilities, bird watching facilities and other infrastructure developments would be carried out.
The resting place of poet Kumaranasan at Kumarakodi, Pallana, where an interpretation centre, library and museum would come up; the Thottappally Spillway, where a beach walkway and recreation zone were among the proposed installations; the DTPC Water Sports Complex at Kayamkulam, where galleries to watch the annual boat race, adventure sports activities and a recreation zone would be set up; are also part of the project.
