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Comprehensive plan to add new facilities at Kolli Hills

NAMAKKAL: With the tourist traffic to Kolli Hills witnessing a steady increase, the Namakkal district administration has prepared a comprehensive plan to add new facilities, beautify several locations in the hills and carry out an intensive publicity campaign.

The plan envisages creation of more of number parks, gardens, artificial fountains, walkways, oil massage centres, special pavilion for selling herbals and roadside parks in the hills, known for its rich forests, medicinal plants and pleasing waterfalls.

The administration will improve the transport facilities and install colour lamps.

The plan includes a special package of Rs. 75 lakh to create access to a small waterfall located near Sri Arapaleeshwarar temple. The surroundings of youth hostel will be improved at an estimated cost of Rs. 50 lakh.

The administration will spend about Rs. 20 lakh for the publicity campaign to attract more domestic traffic to Kolli Hills.

The primary objective is to make the hills a favourite destination for people who seek rest, quietness, scenery and good air, officials say.

The administration has sought Rs. 5 crore from the Centre and Rs. 1 crore from the State Government to execute the plan.

The governments have agreed to fund the plan, official sources say.

The number of tourists visiting Kolli Hills, the ancient kingdom of celebrated king Valvil Ori, is on the rise as the administration has already created tourism infrastructure, transport facilities and a boat house.

Creation of more facilities will make Kolli Hills a major tourist destination in the State and help increase the tourist traffic further, Collector G. Sundaramurthi says.

The tourism activities will also create livelihood opportunities to the tribal population in the hills, the Collector adds.

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