Tourists can look forward to better recreational and infrastructure facilities at Ponmudi and Veli with the government giving nod for works to the tune of ₹4.54 crore.
The lower sanatorium, the first stopover of those reaching the Ponmudi hill resort, is to be spruced up at a cost of ₹2.07 crore without altering its natural beauty and terrain. Bamboo huts, tree houses, landscaped garden, and sculptures will greet visitors once the beautification is completed. Adventure park, treetop viewing point, water fountain, bus shelter, parking slots, and signage will also be set up.
New facilities would be created in the park that was presently out of bounds for visitors, said District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) secretary T.V. Prashanth.
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Work on revamping the tourist amenity centre at the lower sanatorium, near the government guest house, is in the final phase. A tourism information centre, snack bar and rest rooms would function from the centre once it was opened, he said.
Permission sought
The Tourism Department has sought permission from the Forest Department to commence adventure activities, including trekking on the Kallar-Ponmudi stretch; renovate the park and watch tower in the upper sanatorium; and to install signage.
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The decision to take up the work was taken during a visit by Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran and Forest Minister K. Raju to the hill resort on March 10.
Veli
Development work on the swimming pool and park at Veli under the DTPC is being taken up at ₹2.47 crore. The 1.15-acre tourist village has a natural pond too. A water treatment plant, ticket counter, snack bar, and parking slots will be set up.
Once completed, the visitors will be able to enter the swimming pool from the main entrance. Pool parties could be organised in the night, the DTPC secretary said.
With a meeting of the State-level working group on Tourism on June 2 clearing the proposals, the government has given administrative nod for the two projects. The work is to be executed by Kerala Tourism in 18 months and m/s GITPAC is the architect. A decision on the executing agency is yet to be taken.