The Kanchiyar grama panchayat is planning to develop Anchuruli into a major tourism spot combining the nearby Ayyappancoil, known for the remains of an ancient temple, and a suspension bridge there.
Grama panchayat president Mathew George told The Hindu on Friday that there was good turnout of domestic tourists to Anchuruli, which is nearly 3 km from the Kattappana-Kottayam State highway.
Mr. George said Rs.20 lakh had been set aside as the initial capital for a project that includes a boat service from Anchuruli to Cheruthoni, the district headquarters.
High-mast lights
Initially, high-mast lights would be set up and a parking slot allotted for vehicles at Anchuruli. He said it had been proposed to extend bus services to Anchuruli which has a number of tribal settlements.
“A boat service to Cheruthoni through the Idukki reservoir was a long-pending demand of the tribal people,” he said. Now one needs to travel for an hour by road to reach Cheruthoni. If water transportation is used, only 20 minutes is needed.
The tribal people living in Anchuruli, Chakkimaly, Kappakanam, Kolumban, Kannampady, Muthampady, and Memarikudy settlements would have easy access to the headquarters, he said.
Unique experience assured
“It will be a unique experience for tourists to travel on the boat covering the Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary and combining the two tourist spots of Anchuruli and Cheruthoni,” said Mr. George. Ayyappancoil is known for an ancient temple that submerges in the reservoir waters for four to six months. Near the temple is a hanging bridge over the reservoir, which is a tourist attraction.
Once the boat service is launched, new areas would be unravelled to tourists. For the tribal people it would be a link to the mainstream, saving time and money, he said.
