Kochi: Key tourism projects like Nedumchira, beach corridor at Vypin island and renovation of Prakrithi Gramam at Ezhattumugham among others will get a new lease of life soon. The Project Monitoring Committees (PMC) headed by the respective local MLAs have started functioning for the speedy implementation of the major tourism projects in the district. "The main aim is to sort out hurdles like land acquisition at grass-roots level and get sanction from the authorities concerned without delay. Already, the PMC meets have been held in nine constituencies - Ernakulam, Perumbavoor, Vypin, Piravom, Angamaly, Kothamangalam, Fort Kochi, Kunnathunadu and Aluva-- in the last two weeks and many hurdles were resolved," said Mr S. Vijayakumar, secretary, DTPC. In the committee meet held on July 21, Mr Hibi Eden MLA took up the renovation of Durbar hall ground, children's park and construction of a house boat terminal based at Cheranelloor.
"The meet decided to complete the DH ground renovation before Onam and take steps for preparing a detailed project report to renovate the children's park," sources said. Similarly a meet attended by Vypin MLA S. Sarma decided to conduct a site visit and initiate tender proceedings with respect to the Rs 4.5-crore beach circuit project (nine beaches). A meet held on July 27 decided to take steps to start Perumbavoor eco-tourism circuit linking places like Okkanturth, Tattekad chira and Tookkupalam. A team led by MLA Eldhose Kunnapilly will visit the project sites on August 3 and initiate further steps like preparation of a master plan.
Similarly, it was decided to complete the second phase of 'Kallidumbil Attuteeram' project at Piravom beforeDecember 25. Angamaly MLA Roji M. John took up the delay in completing the renovation of Prakrithi Gramam at Ezhattumugham saying the irrigation department's nod is yet to be sought by the tourism department. The meet decided to seek the same and also start construction works for tourist facilitation at Krishnamudi in Malayatoor. Another meet headed by Kothamangalam MLA Antony John decided to seek central funds again for Boothathankettu development project. Eighty per cent of the project work has been completed but the works have been stalled after the remaining project fund lapsed due to failure to complete the works on time. Others tourism projects taken up for immediate focus include protection of Chinese fishing nets (Fort Kochi), second phase of Paranthuranchi island eco-tourism project and Tiruvairanikulam pilgrim tourism project (Aluva).
