The Tirupparankundram hillside in Madurai district is all set to become a major eco-tourism destination with the sanctioning of Rs.3.87-crore in assistance from Central government.
V. Irai Anbu, Secretary, Department of Tourism and Culture, said works such as musical dancing fountain, open-air theatre, landscaping, rose garden, fencing, purchase of boats, creating a boat jetty, high mast lights, toilets, sitting benches, children play materials, drinking water facilities, dress changing rooms, parking lot and pathways would be taken up.
The State government had also provided Rs.51.50 lakh during 2008-09 for creating infrastructure, he said. Apart from providing a new facet to the Tirupparankundram area, it would facilitate tourists to spend more time in the area, he said.
“The eco-tourism park will be a shining example of sustainable tourism development. Madurai had received 68 lakh tourists during 2008, of whom over 30 lakh visited Tirupparankundram,” Dr. Anbu said.
Apart from these developments, the inauguration of newly-digitised sound and light show at Raja Tirumalai Naicker Palace would also boost tourism in the region, he said in a press release.