KOCHI: Union Minister of State for Tourism Alphons Kannanthanam has expressed displeasure over the tardy implementation of the Centre-sponsored tourism projects in Kerala. The Union Government has already sanctioned projects to the tune of `350 crore and is willing to allocate more funds. But the state should expedite the work and ensure timely implementation of the projects, he told media persons after attending a meeting to review the progress of various projects, at the Ernakulam Guest House on Monday.
“We had allocated `90 crore for improving the infrastructure facilities at Gavi, Wagamon and Thekkady. The ministry had made arrangements to inaugurate the projects this month (July). But the works are yet to be completed and now we have set September 30 as the deadline to complete the project,” said Kannanthanam.
The ministry has provided `99.99 crore for development of the Sabarimala - Erumeli - Pampa - Sannidhanam circuit and works to the tune of `64 crore have been tendered. As the amount quoted for the sewage treatment plant is three times that of the `20 crore sanctioned, the government is planning to re-tender it. The work in this regard has to be completed by March 2019. Justice Siri Jagan, chairman of the High Court-appointed high power committee has assured to take up the issue regarding the delay in getting Forest Department clearance with the HC, he said.
Kannanthanam said the government has decided to sanction an additional amount of `17 crore for the restoration of the granary at Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple.The work to beautify the roads surrounding the temple and installation of street lights will be completed by September this year.
Though an amount of `5.94 crore was sanctioned for the development of Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple, the work is yet to be started. “We have sought a revised estimate from the state government,” he said.
The minister also expressed displeasure over the delay in completing the works sanctioned under the PRASAD scheme at the Guruvayur Sree Krishna temple.
“We have sanctioned `46 crore for the implementation of four projects at Guruvayur. This includes `23 crore allotted for the construction of multi-level parking facility, Tourist Amenity Centre, Tourist Facilitation Centre and installation of CCTV cameras. While construction of amenities centre and parking facility is yet to begin only 20 per cent of the work for facilitation centre has been completed,” he said.
The state government has also submitted proposals for the development of St Thomas Church in Malayattoor and Cheraman mosque in Kodungallur under Prasad Scheme, said Kannanthanam.
Proposal for devpt of Malayattoor Church
Kannanthanam said the state government had submitted a proposal for development of St Thomas Church at Malayattoor, which was rejected by the Centre. “The proposal was to construct concrete steps on the pilgrims path to Kurisumudi. We have rejected the proposal as it will undermine the spiritual essence of the pilgrimage centre. The strenuous climb is the essence of the pilgrimage and it should be maintained,” he said.