Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran on Sunday launched a string of development projects worth ₹16.6 crore that are expected to give the tourism sector in the district a much-needed boost. Punarjani eco-park, Ashtamudi village craft museum and sales emporium, and heritage street are among the projects that will soon come up in Kollam. The projects were announced in connection with the LDF government completing 1,000 days in office.
The Kollam beach will get a new walkway, gallery and entry gate along with a spate of beautification works. The Irrigation Department will be the implementing agency of the ₹1.5-crore project.
For introducing water sports in Ashtamudi Lake and Munroe Thuruthu, ₹87.7 lakh has been set aside. Jet craft, beach buggy, banana ride, kayak pedal boat, and water cycle will be added to the facilities at both the places.
As part of Ashtamudi tourism circuit, the building next to the lake will be refurbished as a village craft museum and sales emporium at a cost of ₹49.3 lakh.
Another major project will be the Punarjani eco-park that will come up on the lakeside, converting Asramam Link Road and KSRTC bus stand premises to a tourist spot. Open air stage, green room, amphitheatre, gallery, walkway, pavilions and parking facility are part of the project.
Heritage street
In a bid to showcase Kollam’s history and cultural heritage, a ₹2.9-crore heritage street will be constructed at Asramam.
The street will have sculptures, artistic works and outlets selling regional products such as cashew and spices. Thangassery breakwater tourism, for which ₹5.5 crore has been announced, will get a cycle track, walkway, parking area, information centre, children’s park, and rain shelter. Pulamanthode rejuvenation, at a cost of ₹1.47 crore, and renovation of bathing ghat near Punalur hanging bridge, a major halting place for Sabrimala pilgrims, at a cost of ₹77 lakh, are the other projects announced.
M. Mukesh, MLA, presided while Minister J. Mercykutty Amma was the guest of honour. Mayor V. Rajendrababu, K. Somaprasad, MP, and District Collector S. Karthikeyan were present.
