TN Government Setting up of tourist parks in Cuddalore

In a effort to give a filip to tourism in Tamilnadu, Chief Minister of the State J Jayalalithaa today announced setting up of tourist parks in Chennai and Tiruchi at a cost of Rs 50 crore each. Also, she announced the building of pilgrim centres in Kanchipuram, Cuddalore, Madurai, Virudhunagar, Tirunelveli and Kanniyakumari at a cost of Rs 450 crore. In a statement issued here, the Chief Minister said, 'Places in and around Chettinad region, Thanjavur, Tirunelveli, Kaniyakumari and Coimbatore will be developed as tourist centres'.

Jayalalithaa  said, 'Tourism is an indicator of development and  unity. It provides one a lot of knowledge in the younger days and experience in the old age. It refreshes the minds of tourists, helps in economic prosperity'. She said tourism provides direct employment opportunities, which in a way help develop the standard of living of the local residents.         The State government is committed to developing the tourism sector by providing necessary worldclass infrastructure, she said. The Chief Minister ordered drawing up schemes in a such a way to upgrade tourism parks, provide integrated infrastructure and better roadside facilities. She said there was a plan to introduce helicopter tourism, give proper sanitation facilities to tourists and introduce rope car tourism too. The tourist parks, come up in Chennai and Tiruchi would be on the line of Santosa Park in Singapore, she said.         Five of seven villages with heritage of indigenous handicrafts and local art forms would be identified and be converted into an integrated tourist centre. Other places that are to developed are Karaikudi, Pillayarpatti, Kanadukathan and Aathangudi   (Sivaganga district), Kumbakonam, Swamimalai, Dharasuram, Patteswaram, Nachiyarkoil (Thanjavur), Kallidaikurichi, Ambasamudram, Papanasam, Mundanthurai (Tirunelveli), Suchindram, Thirparapu, Thiruvattar, Udhayagiri, Thengaipattinam (Kanyakumari), Azhagar Koil, Pazhamudhirsolai, Melur, Narasingampatti (Madurai), Pollachi, Aanaaimalai, Aazhiyarmalai (Coimbatore), and Kollimalai (Namakkal).             'Under a scheme with assistance from the Asian Development Bank, two important tourism circuits - East Coast Road Circuit (spiritual and heritage tour), Kanchipuram, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur and Thanjavur districts and Southern Tourism Circuit (spiritual and environmental tour) wherein places in Madurai, Ramanathapuram, Virudhunagar, Tirunelveli, Tuticorin would be identified as tourist centres and be developed within 10 years at a cost of Rs 10 crore. In the first phase, the East Coast Road Circuit would be started.            'In a bid to improve individual skill sets, a total of 3,500 youngsters below 28 years of age who had a minimum of eighth standard qualification would be given hands-on training on preparation of food, beverages. Also, 500 youngsters would be given training to drive through driving schools, she added. Efforts would be taken to set up 25 roadside parks on National and State Highways with government and private participation. Also, schemes to combine all the tourist spots through helicopter and luxury ships/cruisers are on. Also, at hill stations, with government and private participation, rope car facilities for tourists would be provided, she added.