Date:14/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/14/stories/2008091456900100.htm

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Development of tourism spots in Dindigul district being expedited

Staff Reporter

Kodaikanal to get a children’s park with big fountain soon, says Collector

21 development works on the hill have been completed
Thadiyankudisai will be put on national spices tourism map

DINDIGUL: Development of tourism spots by enhancing facilities has been expedited in Dindigul district.

To begin with, Kodaikanal will have a children’s park with a big fountain soon. Thadiyankudisai will be put on national spices tourism map, according to R. Vasuki, District Collector.

Addressing a special tourists’ coordination committee meeting here on Friday, she said the children’s park would be developed at an estimated cost of Rs.45 lakh.

Twenty one out of 23 development works on the hill had been completed and the rest were in progress. Already Rs.4.71 crore had been sanctioned for these works.

A mobile phone charger facility would be created at Bryant Park.

Proposals had been sent to the government to fence the 12-km-long forest on Kodaikanal hill and renovate existing fences to protect flora and fauna at a cost of Rs.80 lakh, she added.

Under development of Arupadai Veedugal scheme, roads around the hill temple in Palani, toilet and bathing facilities for pilgrims on the bank of the Shanmuga river, basic amenities near Idumban tank and Idumban temple were nearing completion. The government had sanctioned Rs.4.23 crore for these projects.

Work to make Thadiyankudisai a spices tourism spot commenced recently. Efforts were on to develop tourism spots in various villages in the district.

Tourism officials were advised to prepare the projects immediately.

Municipal commissioners, block development officers, Public Works Department engineers and Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department officials took part in the meeting.