Creation of a backwater circuit in the State, including the Rs.400-crore comprehensive development of these waterbodies in Alappuzha, has run into rough weather as the Union government has allocated only a meagre amount for the Centrally funded project's Rs.50-crore first phase.
An official communication from the Union Tourism Ministry that only Rs.5 crore has been allocated and not Rs.50 crore as announced has put the Kerala Tourism in a fix, leaving it wondering whether to kick off the work as per a report in The Hindu bu S. Anil Radhakrishnan
Official sources said the Union Ministry had informed Kerala Tourism that it was by ‘mistake' that a Rs.50-crore allocation was announced, and that only Rs.5 crore could be given as it had been included in tourist circuit development.
Work on the first phase, including development of the comprehensive circuit, was to be completed in two years.
Houseboat terminals, rest points, night-halt centres to provide a new experience of culture and shopping to tourists, and new routes for houseboats were proposed. The department had identified the places for night halts and was all set to launch the project that would have changed the face of Alappuzha.
As the State does not have the resources to take up the development of the backwaters on its own, Kerala Tourism has decided to take up the issue with the Union Tourism Ministry and seek an increase in the allocation.
The sources said the issue would be taken up by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy during his visit to New Delhi this month.
Hundreds of houseboats taking tourists on cruises now have no fixed place to anchor at night and cannot offer any entertainment to the tourists after sunset as they are led to narrow canals in deserted locales.
It had been announced that new facilities to come up along the backwaters would be developed on a public-private partnership (PPP) mode.
Under the project, the development of tourist spots from Aroor to Kayamkulam will benefit 58 panchayats and three municipalities.
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