Kollam is a city in the state of Kerala, on India’s Malabar Coast has now bagged new tourism projects to give a lift to its tourism industry in all possible manner. Recently, Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran launched an array of developmental projects worth ₹16.6 crore in order to give the tourism sector in the district a much-needed boost.
The projects have been announced on the occasion of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government completing 1,000 days in office. According to the project, some tourist interests like, Punarjani eco-park, Ashtamudi village craft museum, sales emporium, and heritage street are to be come up in Kollam very soon.
Kollam beach :
Out of ₹16.6 crore, ₹1.5-crore has been sanctioned for the makeover of Kollam beach which will get a new walkway, gallery and entry gate along with a lot of beautification work and the Irrigation Department has been authorized to carry out the project here.
Ashtamudi village craft museum & sales emporium :
Ashtamudi Lake and Munroe Thuruthu, are going to be featured with new water sports like Jet craft, beach buggy, banana ride, kayak pedal boat, and water cycle etc. and ₹87.7 lakh has been set aside for the purpose. This project also includes the refurbishing of a building, that is next to the Ashtamudi lake, as a village craft museum and sales emporium at an expense of ₹49.3 lakh.
Punarjani eco-park :
On the lakeside, there is a plan of developing another major project i.e. Punarjani eco-park transforming the premises of Asramam Link Road and KSRTC bus stand to a beautiful tourist spot. The project has the plan of designing open air stage, green room, amphitheatre, gallery, walkway, pavilions and parking facility over here.
Heritage street :
Kollam does have a golden history and rich cultural heritage. In order to exhibit it the plan of building a heritage street at Asramam, costing₹2.9-crore comes under this project as well. The street will showcase sculptures, artistic works and outlets to sell regional products such as cashew and spices.
Worth mentioning, Kollam is the place which takes the credit for being the hub of the countrys cashew trading and processing industry.
With this, Thangassery breakwater tourism, will get a facelift with a new a cycle track, walkway, parking area, information centre, children’s park, and rain shelter, for which ₹5.5 crore has been announced.
In addition, for Pulamanthode rejuvenation – ₹1.47 crore and renovation of bathing ghat near Punalur hanging bridge, a major halting place for Sabrimala pilgrims – ₹77 lakh have been granted.
