NH-66 Will be New Year’s Gift: Minister

ALAPPUZHA:

Tourism and Public Works Minister PA Mohamed Riyas inaugurated the construction of the canal-land development and a renovated three-bridge project tonight, as part of the Alappuzha Heritage Project.

Authorities have set up a permanent review system in the minister’s office to ensure the timely completion of tourism construction works in the district, he announced on the occasion.

The minister said National Highway 66 will be dedicated to the people of Kerala as a New Year’s gift in January.

Terming the development of the NH as a “symbol of the state government’s willpower”, he pointed out that the construction of roads, bridges and government buildings in the state was going on at an “unprecedented pace”.

“Alappuzha has witnessed unprecedented growth in the field of tourism,” he said.

“The year 2025 will break the record in tourist arrivals to the district. There has been a 95 per cent increase in the number of foreign tourists in Alappuzha district,” he added.

“Based on the detailed report of the state government, the Centre has approved tourism development projects worth Rs 93.17 crore. We are organising fortnightly review meetings to complete this in a timely manner.”

Tonight’s function, presided over by Alappuzha MLA PP Chitharanjan, was attended by Ambalapuzha MLA H Salam, Alappuzha Municipality Chairperson KK Jayamma, District Collector Alex Varghese, Sharon Veetil Managing Director, Muziris Project Ltd representatives of local self-government institutions and leaders of various political parties.

The canal bank development project, which entails Rs 22.59 crore of KIIFB fund, seeks to preserve the existing commercial and residential links between the port and other areas of the town. The construction of a sea bridge will also begin as part of the integrated project.

The works to be taken up in this phase include the development of cycle tracks, footpaths, street lighting, landscaping, and the construction of boat jetties on both banks of the canal. This covers a 4-km stretch from Kothwal Chavadi Bridge via Muppalam Link Canal to Bapu Vaidyaar in Vada Canal.

Besides strengthening embankment and keeping the canals garbage-free, facilities for night kayaking will be created.

The Alappuzha Heritage Project, being implemented under the supervision of the Muziris Projects Limited of the Tourism Department, seeks to restore and showcase the glory of Alappuzha port, which had faded amid fast-paced urbanisation.

The project aims to preserve various heritage and industrial structures of the town, some of which will be converted into museums and public spaces. The project seeks to renovate ancient buildings in the coastal town and to establish a Yarn Museum, a Coir History Museum, a Labour Movement Museum, a Living Coir Museum, a Port Museum, and a Gandhi Museum, among others.

Construction work has begun in nine areas, including four museums, while restoration work on three monuments has already been completed.

The Alappuzha Heritage Project was launched in 2020, two years after the Muziris Heritage Project was initiated as a spinoff from the Spice Route Heritage Project.