Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Minister of State for Tourism (I/C) K J Alphons on September 5, 2018, announced that the Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned the project “Development of Rural Circuit: Malanad Malabar Cruise Tourism Project’ in Kerala under Swadesh Darshan Scheme for Rs 80.37 crore. The project focuses on development of water based thematic cruise experiences in and around Valapattanam and Kuppam Rivers in Kannur District.
The three thematic cruises developed under the project are : a) Malabari Cuisine and Culinary Cruise in Valapattanam River (Muthappan Cruise) – Cruise starts from Valapattanam to Munambu Kadavu in Valapattanam River with an effective Cruise Length of 40 km, b) yyam Cruise in Valapattanam River – Cruise starts from Valapattanam to Pazhayangadi in Valapattanam River with an effective length of 16 km, c) Mangrove Cruise in Kuppam River – Cruise starts from Pazhayangadi to Kuppam in Kuppam River with an effective Cruise length of 16 km.
Under the project, the Ministry has sanctioned funds for development of basic infrastructure facilities like Passenger Terminals, Boat Terminals, Jetties, Boat Race Gallery, Restaurants, Food Courts, Performance Areas, Open Air atres, Angling Yards, Parking, Cycle tracks, Handicraft Kiosks, Bio Toilets, Wi-Fi facilities, Drinking Water Facilities, Floating Markets for local produce, Solar Lamps, Watch Towers, Solid Waste Management, CCTV, Signage etc, according to a PIB release. The cruises under the project will be operated under the PPP mode.