The Hindu Business Line : Tourism projects at Kovalam beach

AS part of its efforts to improve tourism infrastructure at the Kovalam beach resort near Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Tourism launched two projects today.

Speaking on the occasion, the Kerala Tourism Minister, Mr K.C. Venugopal, said the two projects — construction of a `tourist facilitation centre' and creation of a garden alongside the beach — are important components of the tourism department's strategy to help tourism in Kovalam flourish. At the same time unregulated construction activity in Kovalam will not be allowed as this will have an adverse impact on the destination, he added.

Amenities at the `tourist facilitation complex', which is to be built at a cost of Rs 44 lakh, include a tourist information centre, telephone booths, shops, toilets and a parking area. The `beach garden' on a vacant lot in front of the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation's Samudra hotel will be set up with an investment of Rs 66 lakh. The two projects will be completed within six months, the Minister said.

In view of the fact that Kovalam faces an acute scarcity of drinking water, the tourism department is spearheading the development of a drinking water scheme for the area, Mr Venugopal said. The Kovalam drinking water scheme will be included in the `Thiruvananthapuram Capital City Development Project', he added.

Kerala Tourism is also working with the local panchayat to create an effective waste management system for Kovalam, he explained.

Kerala Tourism is also working on an initiative to improve street lighting and signage in Kovalam. This project is expected to involve an investment of Rs 30 lakh, he said. Other projects on the anvil at Kovalam include a Rs 32-lakh initiative to build a walkway and Rs 25 lakh for the construction of three beach roads.

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