TTDC to spruce up Mudaliyarkuppam lagoon, hike boating charges
CS KOTTESWARAN
Enthralled over the state budget announcement that stretches of beaches in Tamil Nadu will be cleaned and improvised to get the international blue flag certification, the Tamil Nadu Tourism Department has set the ball rolling.
By next month, the tourism department will kick start its maiden eco-friendly beach policy in place at Mudaliyarkuppam, a popular lagoon and a weekend destination close to Chennai along the serene East Coast Road.
“By next month, visitors thronging Mudaliyarkuppam lagoon boating facility can be assured of a cleaner and an equipped beach matching the requirements of our tourists, particularly women and children,” B Chandramohan, secretary, Tourism and Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment told
The state has handed over government land for developing the beach landscape. New umbrella shades, aesthetic sit-outs, washrooms and shower facilities near the beach are coming up at Mudaliyarkuppam, the top official said adding that the development plans for the Muttukadu boating facility are also under the state government’s consideration.“The lagoon is already popular for those seeking paddling, water scooters and adventure boats. Now additional staff are engaged to focus on the cleanliness of the beach, so that the shoreline is free from debris and garbage,” explained a local TTDC official. The top management has given this concept of a clean and eco-friendly beach under which littering will be banned in the vicinity.
Orders for new boats and conservancy facilities had already been placed and the beach will be ready shortly to engage the tourists, the official said.
Meanwhile, the tourism development board had also marginally increased the tariff for all the boating facilities in the state, including the boathouses at Kodaikanal, Nilgiris, Mudaliyarkuppam and Muttukadu. “The boat ride cost had been increased by 5 to 10 per cent owing to the increased diesel prices and there is no public complaint as they are aware of the uncertain fuel price increase,” said a staff at TTDC boating facility.
After a gap of four months, tourist spots under the forest limits in the hill station of Kodaikanal in Dindigul district reopened on Wednesday.
While some tourism hotspots, including ‘Coakers Walk’, Bryant Park, Rose Garden and Chettiar Park reopened earlier, the forest based tourism spots, the most preferred among tourists, such as Pine Forest, Moir Point, Guna Caves and Pillar Rocks are opened only now.
Earlier, tourism spots remained shut in the hill station since May this year as part of measures taken by the government to contain the spread of COVID. But, restrictions have been eased later to bring the local people and stakeholders relying on the tourism industry back to life.
According to Kodaikanal Assistant Tourism Officer, M Anandan, the turnout of tourists is low on these weekdays and a good inflow is expected on coming weekends, with the reopening of eco-tourism spots. Tourists from other states were mandatorily checked with RT PCR reports tested within the last 72 hours, before letting them. Though September remains off season, tourists could enjoy pleasant weather, he added.