Boost to tourism in Alappuzha

The budget proposals on development of tourism and agriculture are expected to benefit Alappuzha district. Allocation for canal development as part of national waterways project and the sops offered to various agricultural segments will be of help to tourism and farming sectors.

An allocation of Rs.16 crore has been proposed for the mega food park at Cherthala in the budget presented by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Friday. The Ministry of Food Processing Industries had given nod to the project earlier. The project, to be set up on 65 acres of land, is primarily meant for processing of seafood. Envisaging an investment of Rs.125 crore, it is expected to get a Central grant of Rs.50 crore.

The initiatives in tourism sector such as ‘magnificent canal’ scheme, intended to provide connection of various canals to the national waterways, will be of significance to the district. Development of canals, including setting up of recreational amenities along the stretches, under the PPP investment mode, is expected to help boost tourism traffic.

The canals from Changanassery and Kottayam are to be developed as part of Kerala Coastal Shipping and Inland Navigation project.

The canals could connect to the national waterway extending from Kottapuram in Thrissur to Kollam. An amount of Rs.125 crore has been allocated for the entire project in the State.

Upgrading of roads for the Kottayam-Cherthala tourist highway, under the State capital road improvement project extension scheme, will be advantageous to the tourism promoters in the area. The allocation of Rs.10 crore for construction of Muttel bridge at Kainakari in Kuttanad, and Rs.25 crore for building a bridge at Nedumbrakkad at Cherthala will help boost the infrastructure facilities.

Construction of Valiazheekkal bridge connecting Alappuzha and Kollam is another project that will benefit the district. The project is proposed under the ‘District flagship infrastructure programme’ of the government. The work is to be started during the current year.

There is no mention of the seaplane project in the budget proposals. Tourism sector in Alappuzha had welcomed the project and the government had been providing assurances on the project. Though initial investments were made on the project, it had not taken off.