GURUVAYOOR:
The tourism scenario in Thrissur is all set for a giant leap, with the state government having accorded the nod for a host of tourism development projects, Kadakampally Surendran, Minister for Tourism, Cooperation and Devaswoms, said here today.
He called for encouraging pilgrimage tourism in a big way and sought public participation in making such projects a grand success. The Tourism Minister was speaking after inaugurating the construction activities for a government guest house in Guruvayur.
The new guest house building is part of the government’s efforts to promote Pilgrimage Tourism and to roll out the best facilities to tourists who arrive in Guruvayur. The function saw the attendance of hundreds of people even though it was raining heavily.
The temple town of Guruvayur is renowned all over the world, with pilgrims and other travelers arriving in Guruvayur from around the globe in large numbers. The government is particular that the best accommodation and other facilities need to be rolled out for the tourists who arrive in Guruvayur.
It is this thought that has led to the construction of a well-managed guest house here. The thought which was put forward by the Guruvayur MLA, was okayed by the government. An amount of Rs 22.5 crore will be spent on the project that will come up on 4000 sq ft land.
The most modern guest house will have as many as 50 standard rooms, 4 suite rooms and one presidential suite. This is for the first time that the state government is constructing a building on such a large amount. The guest house, when completed, will be fit for even the Prime Minister or the President to stay when they are in Guruvayur, the Minister added.
The famed Uralunkal Labour Contract Cooperative Society, which has undertaken the construction of the guest house, is expected to complete the works in one-and-a-half- year’s time. The plan is to have Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who has been extending all support to projects undertaken in pilgrimage centres, inaugurate the guest house when it is completed, he said.
The Chief Minister has already given the approval for Rs 100 crore to build amenities centres on the way the hill shrine of Sabarimala. Besides, he has taken immense interest in talking to oil companies like BPCL and IOC to build way side amenities centres on the route to Sabarimala.
The Pinarayi Vijayan government’s policy that pilgrims and devotees in Kerala are to be provided with the best facilities is being brought to fruition with such projects, Kadakampally Surendran said. He called upon the general public to lend a hand in making these projects successful.
The Minister said that, ever since the current government assumed power, a slew of tourism projects have been given approval in Thrissur. An amount of Rs 2.5 crore has been allotted for the Chavakkad Beach development programme, he said.
“An amount not less than Rs 50 crore has been earmarked for various tourism related projects in Thrissur district. While Rs 2 crore has been set aside for the Kalasamala Eco-Tourism project, Rs 42 lakh is allotted for Thumburmuzhi development, Rs 4 crore for the Chalakkudy Municipal Park, Rs 4.1 crore for the Athirappalli Tourist Facilitation Centre, Rs 1.25 crore for the Thrissur Tourist Infrastructure Centre, Rs 3 crore for the Vanchikkulam Nature Park, Rs 2.5 crore for the Kakkathuruthy Killipadam Eco Tourism Project, Rs 2.5 crore for the Poomala Dam Eco-Tourism Village, Rs 25 lakh for the Children’s park at Manaloor Enamaavu, Rs 2 crore for a musical foundation at Vazhani Dam, Rs 5 crore for the beautification of Peechi Dam, and an additional Rs 4 crore for the Thumburmuzhi Tourism Project, have been allotted by the government.
These projects would aid a leap in tourism infrastructure of the Thrissur district, the Minister said. These apart, the government is also lining up projects that would deploy all potential that the Malabar region holds in tourism development.
The Malabar River Cruise, being taken up at an outlay of Rs 305 crore, is one example. This project, which would link the eight rivers in the Kannur and Kasargod districts, would stand out as a prominent river cruise project with global standards. The government believes that benefits that come out of tourism related projects should trickle down to the local communities too. The commencement of the Responsible Tourism Mission is a step forward in this regard, Kadakampally Surrendran said.
The tourism scenario in Kerala is poised for immense growth, he said, adding that the government’s tourism policy is a step in this direction. There are a big number of tourism projects coming up in Kerala.
The Jadayupara bird sculpture that will be opened for the public in July is sure to enthrall the world. The Pepper Tourism project rolled out in a bid to aid the local communities with tourism related development is seeing success, with Vaikom turning out to be a successful experiment in this regard.
Besides, the Muziris Project, Thalassery project, Alappuza Heritage Project, and the like are progressing at a fast pace. The government’s plan to float a Tourism regulatory Authority will ward off any exploitative measures in the tourism sector. Further, the recent all-party decision to keep tourism out of hartals is a welcome step, he said.
Guruvayur MLA K V Abdul Khader presided. Balakiran, Director, Kerala Tourism, welcomed the gathering. Prof. Shailaja Devan, Councillor, Guruvayur Municipal Council was also present. Guruvayur Devaswom Chairman Mohandas was the guest of honour.
Felicitations were offered by M Krishnadas, Area Secretary, CPI (M); O K R Manikantan, INC; P Muhammad Basheer, Mandalam Secretary, CPI; R V Abdul Rahim, IUML; Thomas Chirammal, Kerala Congress (M); P K Saithalikkutty, Kerala Congress (S); K R Aneesh Master, Mandalam President, BJP; M P Iqbal Master, President, JD(S); Adv K V Mohanakrishnan, NCP; and P S Dominy, CMP. Nandakumar, Joint Director, Kerala Tourism, proposed a vote of thanks.
