India Tourism Minister Shri K. Chiranjeevi has approved Central Finance Assistance (CFA) to the tune of Rs. 47.62 crore for development of back water circuit in Alappuzha in back water region as a mega circuit in Kerala.
The Project will involve construction of House Boat Terminals at Arookutty, Thaneermukkom, Pallathuruthy, Nedumudi, Kanjipadam, Thottappally and Kaymkullam; Night Halt Terminals at Vattakayal West and Karumadi Vilakkumaram; development of micro destinations at VayamkaraChira, Pandy, Thazhuppu and Kuthiravattomchira ; Development of beaches at Arthukal and Thottappally and development of Alappuzha town as the central destination of the circuit.
An amount of Rs. 2.38 crore has been released as first instalment of the CFA as an advance for starting the work. The State Government of Kerala shall make land for the project available free of cost and also render all possible assistance for completion of the project in time. No portion of the sanctioned project should be executed/implemented in land/property owned by private individual or trust.
The State Government of Kerala shall also set up a Monitoring Committee headed by the Principal Secretary(Tourism) with a Member from the Ministry of Tourism and the Implementing agency to monitor physical and financial progress of the sanctioned project and submit the progress report to Ministry of Tourism on quarterly basis. The project should be commissioned within 36 months.