Rs.12 Crore allocated to boost facelift to Madurai Tourism

Aimed at promoting Madurai as the best tourist destination in South India, the district administration has identified several tourist spots to showcase them to both foreign and domestic tourists. These spots include Vandiyur kanmoi (tank), Mariamman Teppakulam, Sathaiyar dam, Kutladampatti, Perungamanallur.

“To draw more tourists to Madurai, the district administration has chalked out various plans and taken a slew of measures in tapping its tourism potential. A detailed project report at an estimated cost of Rs15 crore has been prepared and sent to the government for approval,” U Sagayam, Collector, Madurai district said yesterday, according to a Deccan Chronicle report.

Under the tourism promotion scheme, Sagayam said several infrastructure development works including laying roads, bridges, constructing toilet facilities and creating parks would be taken up. To achieve the twin objective of conserving water resources and converting them into recreational spots, boating facilities would be arranged at Vandiyur tank, Mariamman Teppakulam and Sathaiyar dam.

As regards the Vandiyur tank, plans are afoot to deepen and create an island-like structure at the centre of the tank and beautify the edges along with the formation of an eco-heritage walkway. Efforts were on for permanent storage of water at Mariamman Teppakulam where boating would be made available till 7 pm daily after ensuring that all safety measures are in place.

The central Mandapam in the tank would be beautified with installation of statues to depict Tamil culture. Kutladampatti that is home to waterfalls would have pucca roads. “Under Nabard scheme, roads were being laid for a distance of 5 km from the village to the falls at a cost of Rs 39 lakh,” Sagayam said.

Sagayam added, “Aside from this, the historic building where Mahatma Gandhi gave up his formal attire and changed to simple khadi dhoti and a shawl to identify himself with the common man will be converted into a memorial. Also, in memory of the 16 persons killed for fighting against the Criminal Tribes Act of the British at Perungamanallur near Usilampatti in 1920, a memorial would be raised.”