Ramanathapuram
Minister for Information Technology M. Manikandan has requested Governor Banwarilal Purohit to use his good offices with the Centre and secure air connectivity to the district under the UDAN regional connectivity scheme at the earliest.
Addressing a function got up to dedicate to the nation 30 rejuvenated theerthams by the Governor in Rameswaram on Saturday, he said the district required flight service as thousands of tourists and pilgrims visited the Rameswaram island on daily basis to offer worship at the Sri Ramanathaswamy temple.
As there has been an increasing demand for flight service, the Centre has decided to introduce civil aviation after developing the existing airstrip at INS Parundu, the Indian Naval Air station, at Uchipuli near here, he said and urged the Governor to take up the issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Commending Vivekanada Kendra’s Green Rameswaram for rejuvenating the 30 theerthams in the island, Mr Manikandan asked the district administration to take necessary steps to preserve the theerthams. In all, there were 108 theerthams in and around the island when all the theerthams were renovated, the pilgrim island would emerge as the top tourist and pilgrim destination in the country, he said.
He said the government would extend its support if the Kendra came forward to renovate temple tanks in the State as well. Detailing the various developmental schemes sanctioned by the government for the district, the Minister said the government has recently sanctioned ₹ 34 crore for developing the road from Achunthanvayal on the outskirts of Ramanathapuram town to Pattinamkathan and the work would be taken up soon.
The long-pending demand for a medical college for the district was under the consideration of the government, he added.
Addressing the function, Collector K. Veera Raghava Rao said the district administration in association with the local municipality had drawn up a series of measures for solid waste management and make the island green and clean. Steps were also being taken to make Rameswaram an ‘island of solar power’, he said.
