Rs 563 cr package for upgrade of Mahabalipuram

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after the second India-China informal summit meeting, promised a tourism development package for Mahabalipuram and a proposal for Rs 563.5 crore has been prepared and sent to Government of India to accord speedy approval,” said the Governor, while delivering his address at the first session of state Assembly.

Following the second India-China informal summit in Mahabalipuram, the coastal town has received the national attention as a prominent tourist centre. Even before the summit was conducted, the state government gave a huge facelift to Mahabalipuram and is committed to make Mahabalipuram an international tourist destination.

As part of developing tourism in Mahabalipuram, the Centre has included the shore city in Swadesh Darshan Scheme, which aims at developing theme-based tourist circuits. Rs 99.91 crore was sanctioned for the scheme in the state. Centre has allotted Rs 49.96 crore for the state to improve landscaping, illumination, creation of public convenience, wayside amenities, creation of public convenience, setting up watch towers, Wi-Fi and CCTV cameras.

Mahabalipuram is also the only coastal town in the state which is in the race for getting ‘Blue Flag’ certification. The international certification will be given only if Mahabalipuram meets international standards in maintaining cleanliness and should be environment friendly.

Mahabalipuram has recorded 1.7 crore footfall in 2018-19 and has huge potential to create employment. Government is also planning to tap the employment potential through tourism in Mahabalipuram by creating crafts cluster at thecost of Rs 100 crore, which will be a huge boost to the local trade.

Meanwhile, Governor also said that tourism industry is an engine of development with large employment potential and “to showcase the largeand diverse tourism potential of the state in a sustainable manner Tamil Nadu Tourism promotion project will be launchedat the cost of Rs 2,000 crore where 295 destinations will be developed insix circuits.”