KOTTAYAM: The developmental aspirations of Athirampuzha region will get a fillip when ‘Shikaras’ boats travel through the Pennar, thereby ushering in tourism development in the region.
The renovation of the canal and the beginning of boat services connecting the river have found a place in the development of the region after Chief Minister Oommen Chandy recently announced the Athirampuzha project as part of the ‘Discover Kottayam’ project intended to develop canal tourism in the district.
For the last forty years, boat services had been paralysed in the Pennar which had facilitated flourishing trade for many decades.
“We are planning to conduct Shikar services from selected destinations in rural places in Kottayam district. The operations of Shikar boat services through the Pennar river, will facilitate Athirampuzha and the surrounding areas get much needed tourism development”, District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC), Secretary, Jiju Jose.
The (DTPC) is also planning to establish a tourism complex at selected places including Athirampuzha market junction as part of the ‘take a break’ project of the tourism department.
The complex will consist of a restaurant, ATM counters and other amenities for tourists who travel on boats through this region. The local panchayat is expected to grant at least five cents of land to establish it.
According to sources, the establishment of boat services will also give a fillip to pilgrim tourism and hill tourism in the region.
“Those tourists who come to Athirampuzha by boats can move to the pilgrim centres of Mannanam, Ettumanur and Bharanangam, and to the hill tourism centres of Kolahalamedu and Vagamon via road easily,” said Thomas John, a local historian.
The (DTPC) is planning Shikkar boat services on Kavanattinkara - Pennar river – Maniaparampu- Mannanam- Athirampuzha, and Neendoor- Kaippuzha route and from Vaikkom – KV canal – Ezhumanthuruthu- Appanchira – Kumarakom.
