Kerala Tourism Minister inaugurates 18 projects worth Rs 40.46 cr

The projects inaugurated by Kerala Tourism Minister Shri Kadakampally Surendran, through videoconferencing, included destination development of Kovalam Phase 1 -Samudra Beach park area and Grove Beach area, Kovalam- at Rs 9.9 crore and beautification and interlocking of Mulavilakam Footpath at Kovalam at Rs 52 lakh.

In his address, the Minister said the domino effect of COVID-19 has reflected in the tourism sector also and it is expected to continue for some more time. But the government did not allow the pandemic to hamper the implementation of the tourism sector projects.

“The state government has initiated a lot of special projects for the revival of the sector where around 15 lakh people are directly and indirectly employed. Last year, we got Rs 45,000 crore overall income from the tourism sector, which was an all-time record,” he said.

“With the inauguration of these 18 tourism projects in seven districts, the government has completed more than 100 projects in the last six months. Among the 300 tourism projects that had been given administrative sanction since the government took power, 80 percent has been completed. No other government in the history of Kerala has implemented so many projects in the tourism sector,” Shri Surendran added.

Important among the dedicated projects are the construction of additional block for Government Guest House, Kozhikode- Phase II at Rs 9.5 crore, Children’s Park at Marine Drive, Ernakulam (Rs 4 crore), Construction of Yathri Nivas at Idukki – balance work, Idukki (Rs 3.82 crore), Tourism development works at Payamkuttimala, Kuttiadi, Kozhikode (Rs 2.15 crore), Chavakkad beach area tourism project (Rs 2.5 crore), and Muziris Heritage Project (MHP)- repair and maintenance of Paliam Oottupura, North Paravur (Rs 2.03 crore).

Other projects in the list are Renovation and upgradation of Manakkachira Tourism project, Changanassery; augmentation and enhancement of the STP at Kumarakom; renovation of Prakrithi Gramam at Ezhattumukham -Phase I -Angamaly; repair and maintenance of Paliam Interpretation (MHP), North Paravur; renovation of Paravur Market (MHP); Bengalakadavu, Mathilakom, Kodungallur (MHP); construction of Children’s Park, Kottapuram, Kodungallur (MHP); Mala Cemetery compound wall construction, Kodungallur (MHP); renovation of Mala Synagogue, Kodungallur (MHP); and Stadium Square, Kasaragod.