Date:09/06/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/06/09/stories/2003060904340500.htm

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Steps taken for tourists safety at Kumbakarai falls

By Our Staff Reporter

THENI JUNE 8. All precautionary measures have been taken for safety of tourists coming to the Kumbakarai falls in Periakulam taluk, the PWD Minister, O. Paneerselvam, has said.

Talking to mediapersons at the Collectorate on Saturday, he said a concrete basement would be constructed near the falls. Bathrooms exclusively for women would be constructed. A new iron fence would be erected around the falls spot. A parapet wall near the falls site was under construction. The Kumbakarai-Adukkam roadwork would be completed soon. A letter seeking permission to lay roads in the reserved forests between Adukkam and Kumbakarai falls was sent to the Forest department and negotiation was on with the department. Theni DRDA has completed the road up to district border.

To a question on construction of a new bus stand for Theni town, Mr. Paneerselvam said the Government sent another letter to the Forest department to hand over land under its control for construction of the new bus stand.

(The district administration had sent a letter to the department to hand over nine acres of land on Periakulam bypass road but the latter turned down the request.)

The Forest Minister, R. Vaithilingam, spoke. The State Government appealed to the Centre to grant permission to lay road in forests connecting Theni and Virudhunagar. The State Government already sanctioned Rs. 4 crores.