THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Just like the Garib Rath offered by the Indian Railways, Kerala Tourism has launched an advanced lodging facility for the common man who makes a visit to the capital city. Yatri Nivas, the renovated boarding and lodging facility at Thycaud, near the Govt Model Higher Secondary School, which was thrown open to the public on Thursday offers quality, even luxurious, stay in the city at an affordable rate.
Yatri Nivas, run by the Department of Tourism, boasts of 30 double bedrooms, of which nine are air-conditioned. With tiled floors, bathrooms having modern facilities, a television, a phone connection and furniture, the rooms appear very much similar to that of a luxury hotel. Above all, an air-conditioned room with all these facilities cost only Rs 440 (including tax) per day. The rent of non a/c rooms with the same facility is Rs 220 per day.
Though the Yatri Nivas started functioning here in 1991, it was closed down in 2001. After that, the first and second floors of the three-storeyed building were used by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) as their office till 2006. The renovation work, carried out by the KTDC during the past one year, has cost around Rs 52.47 lakh. Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan formally inaugurated the renovated Yatri Nivas at a function held here on Thursday. V.Sivankutty MLA, and Tourism Principal Secretary Dr.V.Venu were also present at the function. A restaurant will soon start functioning at the Yatri Nivas.
For more details and booking rooms contact over phone numbers 0471 2337747, 2337727.