A multi-crore project to promote the Karapuzha dam as a major tourism destination is going on at a snail’s pace owing to the alleged laxity of government agencies.
Though the government had sanctioned Rs.12.92 crore nearly three years ago for infrastructural development for the project, the authorities were yet to complete any work, V.A. Augusty, president, Malanad Eco Tourism Organisation (METO), said.
When the first phase of the project was launched in 2013 under the supervision of the Kerala Irrigation Infrastructure Development Corporation (KIIDC) at a cost of Rs.4.92 crore, the authorities said it would be completed in six months. However, the works came to a halt after constructing a few buildings for the purpose, he said. The project envisaged setting up a garden similar to the Brindavan Gardens in Mysore in four hectares of land, a tourism facilitation centre, a walkway, a parking area, a souvenir and spices stall, landscaping, and electrification of the banks of the reservoir. The Union government had earmarked Rs.5 crore for the project in 2012, of which Rs.2 crore lapsed as the work could not completed on time.
Later, the State government allocated Rs.2.92 crore to the KIIDC to complete the project and they handed over the work to set up a garden to the Kerala Agricultural University last year, at a cost of Rs.20 lakh. But the university too failed in completing the work owing to the internal issues between the officials, METO secretary K.J. Shibi said.
Apart from this, the State government also set aside Rs.2,29 crore for the effective utilisation of the dam and the surrounding area, and Rs.2.79 crore to set up a seaplane project near the reservoir, but these projects were yet to be launched, he said.
The organisation will launch a series of agitations in protest against the alleged laxity of authorities in materialising the project. A protest march and a dharna will be staged in front of the Collectorate here on Monday.
