MALAYATTOOR: Kerala Tourism department’s Yatri Nivas which was launched two decades back with great fanfare as a part of Kalady-Malayattoor pilgrimage tourism project now presents a pathetic sight.
The building was constructed under the project mooted by former Angamali MLA M V Mani to provide accommodation for the tourists. Now, the building is being used by the Kerala Institute of Tourism and Travel studies to conduct cookery classes. The single storied building equipped with over 20 dormitories is not yet open to visitors.
“Lack of accommodation facilities is the main problem here and to solve that Yatri Nivas was constructed by Tourism Department. However, the department has not opened it for the tourists including foreign and domestic visitors,” said panchayat president Radhakrishnan Chengattu.
At present, KITS is conducting classes here. 45 students have enrolled for the part time course. “The department is causing huge loss to the state exchequer in the name of salary and other expenses. What is the need of running such as course here? The building should be utilised for tourism and not as classes,” Chengattu said.
Former MLA MV Mani put forth the proposal fro the project in 1983. The building was built under the project at an estimated cost of `1 crore. Also, the beautification of Manappattichira lake was done. However, even after thirty years no other major development work has taken place. The residents and local officials blame the present MLA Jose Thettayil for the despicable situation.
“A model project had been set up here decades back. What we did then is really an example for the tourism development here. The current string of MLAs’ including Jose Thettayil are reluctant to take up any developmental activities here,” said MV Mani.
Refuting all the allegation MLA Jose Thettayil said, “A proposal for a development project is on the anvil and it will be launched soon. Already some developmental work has been started and but the civic bodies too must take responsibility to carry out maintenance works,” Thettayil said.