THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The tranquil backwaters of Alappuzha, which has pitched Kerala high on the world tourism map in recent times, will get a facelift with the first phase of a Rs 400-crore master plan for its comprehensive development, including creation of a backwater circuit, all set to become a reality. The Union Tourism Ministry has given its nod to the proposal by the Kerala Tourism Department to implement the first phase of the master plan, at a cost of Rs 50 crore.To be completed in two years, the first phase will see setting up of more houseboat terminals, rest points, night halt centres to provide a new experience of culture and shopping, and new routes for houseboats.“The first phase, to be launched very soon, involves developing a comprehensive backwater circuit linking more places and carving out more routes for houseboats,” said Tourism Minister A P Anil Kumar.The Tourism Department has already identified the places to be converted into night halts for houseboats. “New shopping centres, handicraft stalls, restaurants and live performances of traditional art forms will give a real feeling of Kerala culture and cuisine to the visitors at these places,’’ said the Tourism Minister.The new facilities will be developed on public-private partnership mode. The state will provide the necessary infrastructure for the purpose while the private players will create and run the shops and other ventures to woo the visitors.Hundreds of houseboats ferrying tourists now have no fixed place to anchor in the night and cannot offer anyentertainment to the tourists in the evening as they are led to narrow canals in deserted locales as dusk falls.Safety concerns are also raised at times. The master plan seeks to address these vital issues. “Another highlight of the plan is to link more places by charting new routes for the houseboats, as we have very few routes now and they become monotonous for the repeat tourists,’’ Anil Kumar said. “This will further spread the gains of tourism to more areas of Kuttanad,” he said.The balanced development of tourist spots from Aroor to Kayamkulam will benefit 58 panchayats and three municipalities. The master plan also suggests South and North Vembanad, and certain areas alongside the Pampa, in Kayamkulam and Kuttanad as possible new routes. Concerns about some bridges at Kidangara, Vattakayal and Pulinkunnu that are currently obstructing free movement of boats will also be addressed.There will also be provisions for waste management with focus on eco-friendly tourism. The Government will consider proposals for allowing luxury houseboats and floating restaurants, if the private companies come up with proposals.
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