Chennai: Connectivity holds the vital key to propel the tourism activity in a big way. Realising this, and also envisaging enhanced tourist arrivals to Tamil Nadu, the state tourism department has set upon itself a Herculean task of raising over Rs 2.45 lakh crore investment to fund several key projects including four world class amusement parks.
The development of airports at Sripeumbudur, Madurai and Coimbatore besides development of high-speed direct rail link between Chennai and southern districts and the Kongu region are also in the wish-list. This is the first time the department has proposed to raise such a huge sum to give a fillip to tourism projects.
“The development of Greenfield airport at Sriperumbudur with a capacity of 40 million passengers will provide additional air transport facilities to Chennai region while additional terminal has been proposed for Madurai and Coimbatore respectively,” an official said.
The development of Chennai-Madurai-Kanyakumari high-speed rail link, Madurai-Coimbatore high-speed rail link and Chennai-Coimbatore high-speed rail link would help tourists visit more places.
Theme/amusement parks have been proposed for Chennai, Erode, Mamallapuram and Madurai. It is planned to establish a rural tourism hub at Karaikudi in Sivaganga district providing first hand experience to tourists in trying their hands at rural sports and also take part in agricultural activities. A cultural tourism hub around the Shore Temple, Mamallapuram, a science museum - theme park for Chennai, besides a world class tourism and hospitality training institute at Coonoor in Nilgiris are among the other proposals.
“We are keen on developing 26 heritage spots with private sector participation and also improve the road connectivity, especially on the Chennai-Bengaluru route,” the official added. The state's requirements and also its aspirations would be projected during the three-day “Incredible India Tourism Investors Summit” to be inaugurated by the Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley at the national capital on September 21.
