Tuesday, Nov 12, 2002
Tuesday, Nov 12, 2002 |
| Southern States | ||
|
News:
Front Page |
National |
Southern States |
Other States |
International |
Opinion |
Business |
Sport |
Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary | Southern States
-
Tamil Nadu
By T.S. Shankar
``We have a broad understanding now with all government departments to work with a special emphasis on boosting economic activity by implementing over Rs. 50-lakh, Centrally-sponsored, tourism-related projects'', the Tourism Minister, K. Lakshminarayanan, told visiting mediapersons from Chennai on Saturday. The Union Tourism Ministry and the Archaeological Society of India were taking steps to declare Arikamedu, the oldest township of Pondicherry, a world heritage site, Mr. Lakshminarayanan and the Director of Tourism, A.V. Nagarajan, said all-out efforts were being made to declare the entire Union Territory a ``heritage town'' which has a blend of French, Roman, and Indian cultures. Creation of an arts and crafts village, and promotion of religious circuit tourism, besides adding facilities in Mahe and Yanam for providing a glimpse of the rich and varied cultural heritage of the Union Territory, were under way. In this context, the Minister said steps were being taken to create a ``land bank'' for meeting the specific needs of investors. Apart from upgrading facilities at tourist spots including Chunnambar, a spectacular backwater front, where watersport has been introduced, ``we have introduced motorised boatrides, kayaks, pedal boats, and cruise tourism''. Simultaneously rail and air connectivity to the Union Territory would be augmented and the East Coast road widened and strengthened. The Government approached the Railway Ministry, for conversion of the metre gauge link between Chennai and Pondicherry, and the Civil Aviation Ministry for encouraging private carriers to re-introduce flights to Lawspet, in Pondicherry, as part of promotion of feeder routes. R.M. Pillai, Managing Director, Pondicherry Industrial Promotion Development and Investment Corporation, said the three-star Hotel Pondicherry Ashok on the Kalapet Beach, a joint venture with the India Tourism Development Corporation would soon have the Internet facility in all 21 rooms, besides a new health rejuvenation centre focussing on Ayurveda and Yoga. ``We are also opening a city counter for the Hotel Pondicherry Ashok Travels and Tours to provide special packages, launched in association with the Pondicherry Tourism and Transport Development Corporation (PT &TDC). M. K. Ajit Kumar, general manager, Hotel Pondicherry Ashok, said a family holiday package and a cruise tourism offer were already launched. A weeklong Tibetan food festival would be organised from November 16 to 23. The Chairman, Neela Gangadharan, and the General Manager, V. Kishore Kumar, PT &TDC, said several flexi-package schemes were being offered to suit different categories, mainly targeting budget tourists.
Printer friendly
page
News:
Front Page |
National |
Southern States |
Other States |
International |
Opinion |
Business |
Sport |
Miscellaneous |
|
|
|
The Hindu Group: Home | About Us | Copyright | Archives | Contacts | Subscription Group Sites: The Hindu | Business Line | The Sportstar | Frontline | Home |
Copyright © 2002, The
Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of
this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of
The Hindu
|
