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KOZHIKODE, JAN. 6. Thanks to the Rs.60-lakh fund recently released by the Department of Tourism, activities of the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC), which has since long been in a neglected condition for want of money, is expected to get a boost in the coming days. The executive committee of the DTPC, scheduled for January 8, will decide on various tourism promotion projects to be implemented by the DTPC during the year 2002.

Many a tourism promotion activity run by the DTPC at various parts of the district has since long been either suspended or lacking infrastructural facilities to entertain tourists, the main target group being domestic tourists. The boating facility at Kalipoika on the bypass road, house boats in Thalakkalathur and Facilitation Centre at Thusharagiri waterfalls were among the tourist attractions which were in a neglected stage since for long.

If the heavy deposit of silt in the highly polluted Canoli canal made boating impossible at the Kalipoika forcing the DTPC suspend boating facility there, the houseboats (`kettuvallam') in Thalakalathur were idling as there were no takers for them since for long. But, the fresh funds from the department is expected to tell a different story in the coming days, if the development activities proposed by the DTPC would materialise.

Arrangements for dredging the canoli canal to facilitate boating besides renovating the dilapidated wharf there and provision other paraphernalia will be finalised at the executive committee meeting. An estimate for dredging is being prepared by the Irrigation department. The suspension of the canal renovation undertaken by the Kozhikode corporation has also contributed for further silt formation and increasing of `payal' in the canal.

Though a facilitation centre was opened, the tourist facilities at Thusharagiri, a potential tourist spot on the east of the district, has been grossly inadequate. An amount of Rs.14 lakhs has been apportioned for providing for providing better amenities for tourists visiting the hillock. The new proposal include construction of a couple of cottages, internal roads, foot overbridge and installation of railings at the waterfall site.

Pavayilcheerpur near Thalakalathur near here was yet another spot where tourists were attracted only to enjoy a ride or a stay in the houseboats owned by the DTPC. The DTPC had given the

two houseboats -- `Kunjali Marakkar' and `Pazhassi Raja', on lease. But, the lesser who had taken the houseboats on lease had defaulted payment to DTPC only to attract termination of contract and idling of the `kettuvallam'. However, the DTPC utilised the time for conducting repairing the houseboats and re-launch them with a better look also. Formalities to re-allot the houseboats on lease to prospective tourist operators will also be finalised at the meeting on Jan 8.

And, thanks to the initiatives by the tourism department, the rural town, some 15-kms away form the city, will get Rs.20.5 lakhs to establish a Water Sport Centre there. Water sports, viz. canoeing, yachting and boat racing may be some among the popular water spots which might find a place in the minds of malabar people, once the centre is established in Thalakkalathur.

According to sources working in tourism industry, the conducted tour service run by the DTPC connecting various tourist spots in the district and neighbouring district of Wayanad, which for the moment is suspended, will also be revived. The bus is being given on rent for Sabarimala pilgrimage, for the time being, so as to meet its maintenance cost besides paying salaries to its crew. But, the DTPC has ambitious plans to re-launch the conducted tour programmes in a better fashion. Conducted tours, once in a week to different destinations -- one to tourist centres in Wayanad, another to Palakkad including Malampuzha and yet another one to Munnar-Thekkadi, are on cards.

DTPC has also proposed a Rs.1.89 crore project for beach beautification. A coincidence or duplication perhaps, a similar project has been proposed by the Calicut Corporation also. A sponsorship by Indian Oil Corporation has also been on cards, but without anything materialising till date.

The DTPC has also decided to apportion Rs.20 lakhs for acquiring some 18.5-acre land at Irringal for the proposed Malabar Village. The tourism promotion agency also claims to have revived the almost-neglected Aquarium at the beach. According to informed sources, the ambitious "dream city" project may also be activated sooner or later, once the Irrigation department will provide land for the project. The talks in this regard is in the final stage, sources said.

The Tourism department as well as the DTPC appears to be determined to revive all its existing tourism promotion projects in a better and attractive way besides taking up new tourism potential projects. They are also committed to make each of its tourist projects self-sufficient to make them sustainable.

The Minister for Tourism, K.V.Thomas, has convened a meeting of officials, tourists operators and others here on January 14 to have an in depth discussion on tourism promotion in the district. But, only time can tell how serious the DTPC and the Tourism department are towards their commitments and tall claims.

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