Kalpetta: Adding to the bouquet of tourism destinations of Wayanad, the Karappuzha Tourism Project is undergoing final touches and will soon be opened for public. Though it was originally scheduled to be opened ahead of Onam, it would take two more months for the project to be complete. The project is coming up on the premises of the Karappuzha reservoir owned by the department of irrigation with the cooperation of department of tourism.
The first and second phases are almost complet, covering an area of around 12 acres and include a rose garden, walk-way, souvenir and spices stalls, parking area and tourists amenities. The first phase of the construction works was executed by the Kerala Irrigation Infrastructure Development Corporation (KIIDC) for an amount of Rs 4 .92 crore with the support of Kerala Agricultural University.
The park, rose garden and greenery of the pavilions were set up with the expertise of Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Ambalavayal. The garden has 8,500 flowering plants, 3,667 rose plants and 1800 sqft carpet grass. The second phase which includes a children's park has a total cost of Rs 2.29 crore.
Karappuzha assistant executive engineer N. Sandeep told Deccan Chronicle that the first phase would be completed within two months. "A bamboo park with the support of Uravu also is coming up on seven acres land", he added. "The handicrafts stall can to accommodate three shops," he said. Mr Sandeep said that the project covers a total of 110 acres land and a detailed master plan for developing the remaining land was to be submitted.
"Located just five kilometers away from the Bangalore-Kozhikode National Highway and few kilometers away from the prominent tourism spot Edakkal Caves, the destination has all the merits to become the best tourism spot in the district", he said. State tourism director V.K. Jose said that the site would be opened for public as soon as possible.
