Alappuzha town will be transformed into a major heritage tourism destination in the State in three years, Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac has said.
Addressing a joint press conference with Public Works Minister G. Sudhakaran here on Monday, Dr. Isaac said projects worth ₹1,768.34 crore would be implemented in the district. “The heritage project will change the face of Alappuzha and nearby areas. Apart from Alappuzha Town, Punnapra and Aryad panchayats will be included in the project,” the Minister said.
The multi-crore project includes construction of a mobility hub in Alappuzha, heritage museums, indoor stadium, beach beautification and canal renovation. The mobility hub alone would cost around ₹400 crore.
As part of the mobility hub, a modern bus terminal, boat terminal, dock, road connectivity, new bridge over Vade canal near bus stand, multi-level parking lot, city flyover and recreation centre have been mooted. “The draft project plan for mobility hub and allied projects has been prepared. It will be funded by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB),” Dr. Isaac said.
He also said that 10 major canals and 40 km waterways would be dredged and beautified at a cost of ₹150 crore. Another ₹100 crore would be spent on improving facilities at the Alappuzha medical college hospital, general hospital and Chettikad hospital. Projects for improving basic infrastructure, including drinking water supply, roads, walkways, street lights, drainages would also be implemented.
Alappuzha municipal chairman Thomas Joseph told mediapersons that the civic body planned to construct a modern convention centre with the help of the State government in connection with the centenary of Alappuzha municipality.
