2 days ago
Green Tourism Circuit in Pala awaits take off
More than a decade after receiving administrative sanction, the Green Tourism Circuit project in Pala remains a non-starter due to lack of interest shown by the authorities concerned.
With work stalled for over three years, speculation is now mounting that the government may shelve the project. 'The project office in Pala was shut down three years ago and the staff were transferred. We now hear that the government order (GO) related to the project is also likely to be withdrawn,' said an official source.
Pala, the gateway
Launched in 2013 during the tenure of the previous United Democratic Front government with K.M. Mani as Finance Minister, the project aimed at boosting domestic tourism and pilgrimage in the eastern high ranges of Kottayam district. It was envisioned as a circuit connecting religious and tourist destinations such as Illikkal Kallu, Ilaveezhapoonchira, Marmala Aruvi, Ayyampara, Wagamon and the Nalambalam temples. Pala was envisioned as the gateway, with supporting infrastructure like basic amenities. Also, revenue lands were earmarked at Marmala, Ilaveezhapoonchira, and Illikkal Kallu for setting up visitor facilities.
To implement the ₹145-crore project, a Green Tourism Circuit Society was constituted, which was later restructured in 2017 under the chairmanship of the Tourism Minister.
A major milestone came in October 2020 when Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the Green Tourism Complex in Pala town, regarded as a flagship component of the circuit. But no progress was made from there.
Earlier, work had been initiated to improve facilities at pilgrimage centres such as the Ramapuram Nalambalam, Bharananganam Sree Krishnaswamy temple, Edappadi Ananda Shanmuga Swamy temple and the Ezhacheri Umamaheswara temple. Steps were also taken to offer transportation services from Pala to various centres.
