Minister Kadakampally Surendran assures Rs 140 crore aid for beach renovation
KOZHIKODE: Kozhikode Beach renovation will get a Rs 140 crore aid from the state government. Addressing after the inauguration of the one-day conclave discussing the tourism potential of Kozhikode here on Sunday, organised by the District Tourism Promotion Council, tourism minister Kadakampally Surendran said that the '140 crore project is envisaged to implement by dividing the Beach into four sectors- Society, Culture, Sports and Youth. Each part allotted for the sectors will be developed aiming at the overall development of that particular area. The minister added that the state government is expectating aid from the union government and if not, other ways will be found for fulfilling the project.
"Along with the tourism project, progress of the local population and the importance of environment will be also taken into consideration," he said. "Malabar's history, culture and nature have not yet been used for attracting the tourists to the region. Not even 1 percent of the total tourists visiting Kerala are reaching here. Almost all the tourism projects of the state are restricted to Kochi and Alappuzha. However that should be changed and the state government is giving high priority to boost the tourism in Malabar," he added.
The minister added that nearly 20 small and big tourism projects have already started in Malabar. A project connecting the rivers in Kasargod and Kannur are also in cards which would also prove helpful for Kozhikode. Second phase of Iringal Craft Village development has started. Adventure tourism potential of Thusharagiri and Kakkayam will also use for attracting tourists, the Minister said. Kozhikode North MLA A. Pradeep Kumar, Nadapuram MLA E.K. Vijayan, Historian Dr M.G.S. Narayanan, Dr M.R. Raghava Varier among others also took part in the seminar. The seminar was conducted by the special interest of district collector U.V. Jose, who also held the post of Tourism Director before coming to Kozhikode.
