The waterways criss-crossing Kumarakom, an international tourist destination in Kottayam, may get a lot more crowded.
Home to about 120 houseboats, the destination is all set to get its first dedicated facility for mooring such tourist vessels with the Tourism Department completing work on a terminal at Naalupank near here.
Established at a cost of ₹3.29 crore, the terminal which can accommodate 40 houseboats at any point of time, is scheduled to become operational in the first week of August.
Scattered now
Presently, tourist vessels operating in Kumarakom are berthed at different locations, including Kaippuzhamutt, Cheepungal, Kavanattinkara, and the Kumarakom boat jetty.
The department recently received administrative sanction for setting up solar lights, the work on which is set to begin soon.
At ₹11.50 lakh
The work will be executed by the Kerala Irrigation Infrastructure Development Corporation (KIIDC) at a cost of ₹11.50 lakh.
Biju Varghese, deputy director, Tourism Department, said the opening of the terminal, located on the border of the Kottayam and Alappuzha districts, would also open a new circuit for the houseboats from Alappuzha, which currently bypass the destination.
To trigger development
“It will also trigger tourism-related development on the south side of Kumarakom,” he said.
Upon opening, the department also plans to operate a cafeteria on its premises while the Kumarakom panchayat is looking to establish a parking facility for tourist vehicles.
Other projects
The terminal forms part of the ₹9.77-crore project being implemented by the Tourism Department at Kumarakom.
This includes construction of a new road from the boat jetty to Naalupank, revival of canals, construction of an information centre, toilet complex and a park.
The work on the information centre, toilet complex and park are yet to begin for want of vacant plots.
Meanwhile, plans are also afoot to develop Naalupank, nestled in Vembanad Lake, as a tourist attraction. “Flanked by idyllic paddy fields, it often resembles a jade ribbon in the backwater and offers a breathtaking view of the sun setting over the backwaters,” said Mr. Varghese.
