With an intention to take the Union Territory beyond a weekend destination, the Government of Puducherry has announced various tourism projects in and around Puducherry and Karaikkal.
Currently, many tourists come here during weekends. The intention is to make them extend their stay beyond two-three days, said Ms M. Sathiyavathy, Chief Secretary, Government of Puducherry.
According to her, the Government is in the process of developing a tourism destination which will have resorts, theme parks and various other entertainment infrastructure.
The project will be developed on the public-private partnership model, said Ms Sathiyavathy.
The Government has allotted 100 acres for the purpose at Manapet – a coastal village between Puducherry and Cuddalore district.
In addition to this, it is also proposed to make Karaikkal a tourism hub.
In addition to Thirunallaru – a pilgrimage centre, there are various other religious places around Karaikkal.
It has already initiated ‘Thirunallaru development project' at an investment of Rs 160 crore (funded by Hudco). The project, according to Ms Sathiyavathy, will include guest houses for pilgrims and other necessary infrastructure such as shopping malls and hotels.
Theme parks, including water sports zone, are also likely to come up at Karaikkal.
To encourage hoteliers, the Government has extended the permissible height of the building from 20 metres to 30 metres.
This is besides extending the cash subsidy of up to 25 per cent of capital expenditure – subject to a maximum limit of Rs 1 crore – to one–star and two-star hotels.
Besides Puducherry airport, which is expected to be operational in the next couple of months, there is a proposal to create a greenfield airport at Karaikkal.
“As this will be a 100 per cent privately owned airport for public use, there will not be any participation of the local government or the Airports Authority of India,” she said.
The airport will be developed and owned by the Coimbatore-based, Super Airport Infrastructure (India) Pvt Ltd. The proposal has already been cleared by the Union Civil Aviation Ministry and the Puducherry administration.