The Hindu : Kerala News : Central clearance for tourism projects

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 11, 2005

Kerala

Kerala

Central clearance for tourism projects

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, FEB. 10. The Union Government has approved in principle tourism projects worth Rs. 18 crores in addition to the Rs. 21.75-crore projects already approved by the State for the year 2004-05.

Addressing a press conference here today, The Minister for Tourism, K. C. Venugopal, said the projects approved in principle include the Rs.10 crore golf course at Nedumbassery and the Rs. 8-crore project for the backwaters and other tourism projects in the Alappuzha district.

Malabar region

The development of tourism circuits in the Malabar region, destination development projects, rural tourism projects and tourism events are the projects to be taken up under the Rs. 21.75-crore sanctioned by the Centre.

The Rs. 21.75-crore tourism projects sanctioned by the Centre include the tented accommodation in the Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary, development of Kappad beach, pilgrim tourist facilitation centre at Thirunelly, Tourist complexes at Pythaalmala, Parassinikadavu, Muthanga, Nilambur and Vagamon.

The other projects approved include the art and craft village at Vizhinjam, development of Balaramapuram weaver's heritage village, Malabar Maholsav and Elephant festivals.

The Central assistance to the State is an all-time high, he said, adding Kerala had received Rs. 12.6 crores for various tourism projects during the previous year.

Completion of projects

Mr. Venugopal said necessary steps would be taken to complete the projects in a time-bound manner.

The Minister said the Additional Director, Tourism, Ashok Kumar Singh, had been asked to inspect all the guest houses in the State along with the Public Works Department officials and to submit the report within two weeks.

Based on the report, he said the Government would take steps to renovate the guest houses and restore its old glory.

Malampuzha garden

A meeting held in the capital today decided to provide an additional Rs. 1 crore for the renovation of the Malampuzha garden and to complete the work before Onam.

To a question, the Tourism Minister said the Government would take action on the illegal encroachment by the private hotel group near the Samudra beach in Kovalam after receiving the inquiry report of the District Collector.

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