Indian City of Kochi banks on tourism

1st Jan 2011

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Tapping the tourism potential seems to be the only hope for Kochi’s development in 2011. Both government organisations and private entrepreneurs have come up with a slew of measures to attract tourists to the city.

The State Tourism Department along with the District Tourism Promotion Council in Ernakulam has introduced a variety of tourism projects in the district. Currently, the DTPC has undertaken four major tourism initiatives. Kochi’s own Durbar Hall Ground will soon get a facelift as KITCO has taken up a Rs 49 lakh project for renovation of the ground.

The Harithavanam Park in Aluva is being implemented by Aluva Municipality at a cost of Rs 29 lakh. It was only two weeks back that the Tourism Minister inaugurated the Rs10 lakh Kundalakkadavu Walkway project of the Aluva Municipality. The irrigation department is implementing the Millungal-Poothotta Canal Beautification project at a cost of Rs 55 lakh.

The government has sanctioned four more projects to be implemented by the DTPC. Recently the Kuzhupilly Beach was identified as a potential tourism spot by the authorities. The beach beautification project is being implemented at a cost of Rs 46 lakh. The first phase of the Parunthranchi Manalppuram project, a Rs 35 lakh venture, will be taken up by the irrigation department.

A Rs 49 lakh initiative has been proposed and sanctioned for the third phase of the Kadambrayar tourism project. The Model Tourism Park at Kumbalangi will be implemented by KITCO at a cost of Rs 15 lakh.

With increased tourist flow to the city in the recent times, the government has been actively considering a number of new initiatives also. The proposed projects which are under consideration include the beautification of NH-47 A (from Willingdon Island to Kundanoor) with the help of BPCL and the Union Government. It is one of the major projects to be implemented by the DTPC in association with the centre and state governments, said, KS Shine, DTPC secretary. The restoration and renovation of Mattanchery Heritage Bridge is another much-discussed initiative. Private entrepreneurs are also coming up with new ideas. More private tourist boats will be coming up near Bolgatty and Marine Drive.