The tourism sector in Ernakulam district is all set to witness a boom as the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) has some big expansion plans.

These include the implementation of the Fort Kochi-Mattanchery Heritage Zone Project, the beautification of the stretch between Willingdon Island and Kundannoor Bypass and the second phase of the Kumbalangi Tourism Village Project.

Apart from the spots which already top the tourism chart, the government has also decided to re-develop unexplored regions like Cheranelloor, Muvattupuzha and Paravoor. A decision in this regard was taken at a high-level meeting convened by Union Minister of State for Food and Civil Supplies K V Thomas in Thiruvananthapuram the other day.

A detailed proposal for the development of the Triveni Sanagamam in Muvattupuzha to a tourist destination has already been prepared. “The Rs 11-crore project for the Triveni Sangamam include the construction of a walkway and the development of the spot. We are also working on projects for the development of Paravoor Court Complex and for setting up a theme park at Mavelipuram,” DTPC secretary P Jayasankar told Express.

Another project is to set up a Destination Management Council at Cheranelloor.

“We are working on this project. Boat jetties will be built at Cheranelloor to connect the Muziris Heritage sites with the backwaters in Kochi,” Jayasankar said. He said Rs 5 lakh had been earmarked for the second phase of development of the Kumabalangi.

“Meanwhile, the beautification of the 480-metre stretch between the Willingdon Island and Kundannoor Bypass will be done in the first phase at an estimated cost of `1 crore,” he added. The improvement of safety lighting in the Fort Kochi water edge areas, revitalisation of Mattanchery street, renovation of Fort Kochi boat jetty, improvement of the premises of Mattanchery Palace and the renovation of Kalvathy canal are some of the major components that will be included in the project.

Express News Service