Pachamalai gets ₹89 lakh facelift to boost tourism
District forest officer S Krithiga said the ₹89 lakh project under the Tamil Nadu Innovation Initiatives (TANII) includes new facilities for accommodation, access, safety, and security. "We are expecting higher footfalls with the improvements made for visitors," she said.
Two 'A-Frame Eco Huts' costing ₹51.11 lakh have been built at Top Sengattupatti, offering panoramic hill views. At Mangalam Falls, metal handrails and dressing rooms have been installed at a cost of ₹10 lakh, while Koraiyar Falls now has stone steps for 800 metres and a new bathing point for ₹16 lakh.
The British Bungalow near Top Sengattupatti has been renovated for ₹11.9 lakh to provide luxury stays, and tree-top houses are set to be refurbished.
Locals and frequent visitors have welcomed the upgrades. "Safety rails improve security, and dressing rooms give privacy to women," said Dr N Saravanan, principal of SMK Arts and Science College for Women, Thuraiyur. He also called for better drinking water, sanitation, and parking facilities to match standards in Ooty, Yercaud, and Kodaikanal.
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Pachamalai's villages, home to the indigenous 'Malayali' community, have so far seen little economic benefit from tourism. Trichy forest range officer R Saravanan said improved infrastructure could change that. "When footfalls rise, it will also help locals in their trades and small businesses," he said.
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