Alappuzha’s Rs.50 crore mega tourism project gets underway

Nearly a year after the district administration and the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) submitted to the Centre a Rs.50 crore mega tourism project for the district, there are finally signs of progress.

Even as the Centre is preparing to appoint a consultant to study the project, the DTPC too is making its own moves to take forward the project, titled ‘The Alappuzha Tourism Circuit Project’, which envisages linking of all the potential tourism spots in the district, right from Aroor to Kayamkulam, and developing the infrastructure there so as to attract tourists, both foreign and domestic.

The DTPC, according to official sources, will organize a workshop shortly, bringing together experts and public representatives to collect inputs on what can be done at each of the potential tourist spots. The project, which is aimed at also exploring possibilities of hitherto unexploited tourist spots apart from upgrading existing facilities in already popular tourist centres, has setting up of restaurants, recreation zones, construction of walkways, opening of boating facilities, curio shops and landscaping among the planned activities. The initial project report that was submitted to the Centre was prepared by Chennai-based landscape architect and environment planner K. Raghuraman.

Some of the spots that Mr. Raghuraman’s report suggested included the Karumadikuttan, a black granite statue of Lord Buddha considered to be at least 700 years old, at Karumadi near Thakazhi, where a refreshment zone, curio shop, parking facilities, a boat jetty and a facelift to the idol were part of the proposed activities.

The other spots included the Kuthiravattam Chira and Vayyamkara Chira, freshwater lakes where camping facilities, boating arrangements, cycle tracks, walkways, angling facilities, bird watching facilities and other infrastructure developments would be carried out.

The resting place of poet Kumaranasan at Kumarakodi, Pallana is where an interpretation centre, library and museum would come up; the Thottappally Spillway, where a beach walkway and recreation zone were among the proposed installations; and the DTPC Water Sports Complex at Kayamkulam, where galleries to watch the recently started annual Kayamkulam boat race, adventure sports activities and a recreation zone would be set up; are also part of the project.