THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Ramping up tourism facilities across the state, Kerala Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran today launched 18 projects completed at a cost of Rs 40.46 crore.
The projects inaugurated by Surendran, through videoconferencing, included destination development of Kovalam Phase 1 — Samudra Beach park area and Grove Beach area, Kovalam– at a cost of Rs 9.9 crore and beautification and interlocking of Mulavilakam Footpath at Kovalam at a cost of Rs 52 lakh.
In his address, the Minister said the domino effect of Covid-19 has reflected in tourism sector also and it is expected to continue for some more time. But the government did not allow the pandemic to hamper the implementation of the tourism sector projects.
“The state government has initiated a lot of special projects for the revival of the sector, where around 15 lakh people are directly and indirectly employed. Last year, we got Rs 45,000 crore overall income from tourism sector, which was an all-time record,” he said.
“With the inauguration of these 18 tourism projects in seven districts, the government has completed more than 100 projects in the last six months. Among the 300 tourism projects that had been given administrative sanction since the government took power, 80 percent has been completed. No other government in the history of Kerala has implemented so many projects in the tourism sector,” Surendran added.
Important among the dedicated projects are construction of additional block for Government Guest House, Kozhikode- Phase II at a cost of Rs 9.5 crore, Children’s Park at Marine Drive, Ernakulam (Rs 4 crore), Construction of Yathri Nivas at Idukki – balance work, Idukki (Rs 3.82 crore), Tourism development works at Payamkuttimala, Kuttiadi, Kozhikode (Rs 2.15 crore), Chavakkad beach area tourism project (Rs 2.5 crore), and Muziris Heritage Project (MHP)- repair and maintenance of Paliam Oottupura, North Paravur (Rs 2.03 crore).
Rani George, Principal Secretary, Tourism, said in the face of most adverse circumstances, tourism sector has shown the potential to overcome them all. “We have set an example for other states through our aggressive and multi-pronged strategy to defy all odds. The new projects will be a big boost to the locations in the seven districts,” she added.
Noting that renovation of MHP sites will make the visit to these spots more attractive, Tourism Director P Bala Kiran said the completed projects also contributed to the basic infrastructure development of the respective locations.
Other projects in the list are: Renovation and upgradation of Manakkachira Tourism project, Changanassery; augmentation and enhancement of the STP at Kumarakom; renovation of Prakrithi Gramam at Ezhattumukham -Phase I -Angamaly; repair and maintenance of Paliam Interpretation (MHP), North Paravur; renovation of Paravur Market (MHP); Bengalakadavu, Mathilakom, Kodungallur (MHP); construction of Children’s Park, Kottapuram, Kodungallur (MHP); Mala Cemetery compound wall construction, Kodungallur (MHP); renovation of Mala Synagogue, Kodungallur (MHP); and Stadium Square, Kasaragod.
