The Hindu : Tourism identified as engine of growth

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jun 23, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala-Thiruvananthapuram

Tourism identified as engine of growth

By T. Nandakumar

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM June 22. Promotion of monsoon tourism, Ayurvedic villages at Kovalam and Varkala, lakefront development at Veli, development of theme parks in four municipal towns, paying guest accommodation, package tours and improvement of transport linkages are some of the thrust areas identified by the Draft Vision Document for Thiruvananthapuram Capital Region for creating world class tourist infrastructure.

Tourism has been identified as a major income generator and foreign exchange earner in the document which provides a perspective plan for the capital region up to the year 2033. It proposes a three-pronged approach for the tourism sector focussing on high potential areas as engines of growth, creation of employment opportunities and enhanced private sector participation.

The draft document recommends a set of incentives for the tourism industry including tax breaks for private investors, leasing out tourism properties and facilities to the private sector, privatisation of forts and monuments, granting Tourism industry status and a single window scheme for environment clearance. It proposes an increase in municipal property tax with part of the additional revenue going towards the creation of a special Tourism Development Fund.

The document underlines the need for exclusive legislation for heritage conservation with provision for `listing' of buildings by the urban local body. The Fort area in the city, Kovalam, Ponmudi hill resort, Museum- Kowdiar avenue, Arat road from West Fort to Eenchakkal, land around the Vellaikadavu bridge across the Killi river, Sanghumukhom beach and Veli lake have been identified as sites of historical and architectural value worthy of conservation.

As many as 43 buildings and structures of historical importance have been listed for conservation and development within prescribed architectural guidelines. The Papanasam beach and the cliff in Varkala, Nedumangadu palace, Attingal palace and tank and the Ponmudi hills are some important sites and buildings which without proper conservation regulations may be gradually vandalised or alienated, the document notes.

The vision document highlights the need for a quality water supply system to serve the domestic, recreational, commercial and fire protection needs of the populace of the region by the year 2013 and expand the system over the next 20 years. Estimating that the present source of water from the river Karamana would not be adequate after the year 2013, it suggests identification of a new source or raising the height of the dam to increase reservoir capacity.

Pointing to the absence of a modern fire fighting system, it calls for a phased programme to make fire-fighting equipment mandatory for all multi-storied buildings. Extending the fire hydrant network to the municipal towns and protection of natural water bodies are other recommendations. It calls for urgent improvements to the water supply network especially in the coastal areas.

The document underlines the need to develop a state-of-the-art waste water treatment facility for the Corporation area within 2008 and similar units in each municipal town and the 10 panchayats by 2011. It has proposed planning, designing and construction of a sewage treatment plant at Valiathura having 100 mld in the first stage with phased expansion till 2033.

An immediate budget provision of Rs. 80 crores has been suggested for the plant, with another Rs. 200 crores for the period up to 2013 to network the entire Corporation area. Separate projects for sewer lines and treatment plants have been drawn up for the four municipalities.

In the solid waste management sector, the document has proposed a Rs. 300 lakhs project to set up a centralised incinerator for disposal of biological waste from hospitals and medical centres. An area of 25 hectares is required for dumping solid waste expected to be generated from the city area for the next 30 years. The land is to be procured in three stages and developed for landfill. Sanitary landfill sites have been proposed for 10 panchayats and four municipalities also.

The proposals which emerged after a stakeholders workshop organised by the Government in March were submitted to the Corporation Council for recommendations. At a council meeting last week, several members objected to the proposal for hiking municipal property tax.

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