Kerala - Pathanamthitta   

DTPC project in troubled waters

Staff Reporter

Water park closed owing to pollution problems

The Chanthathodu Water Park of the Pathanamthitta District Tourism Council in Thiruvalla.

PATHANAMTHITTA: The much-publicised water park project of the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) at Chanthathode, near market junction in Thiruvalla, has been indefinitely closed owing to pollution of the waters by two drainages that empty out into it.

The Chanthathode Water Park (CWP), constructed at a cost of Rs.25 lakhs in idyllic settings, was opened for the public a year ago. The park offers boating facility, a cafetaria and a hall-cum-view tower.

The water park and a canal cutting across lush green paddy fields paddy fields were a major attraction in the initial days. Besides, several families in the localities used to frequent the place in the evenings.

However, the enthusiasm gradually waned with the pollution of the canal waters by the emptying out of two drainages into it. The crowds gradually became thinner as news about the pollution menace spread.

The four paddleboats purchased by the DTPC have been lying idle in the `filthy' waters. Students from the nearby private Industrial Training Centres who visit the park to spend their leisure time are the only visitors now.

The licensee too had sought cancellation of his contract with the DTPC, as the business was financially not viable and the park was indefinitely closed a few weeks ago.

Meanwhile, the DTPC has completed a weed-clearing drive in the canal.

Talking to The Hindu , DTPC secretary V. Santhoshkumar and PRO Varghese Punnen said that the Public Works Department has prepared a Rs.6-lakh project to divert the two drainages to a nearby paddy field. However, the local people are likely to protest against any move to divert the drainage to a paddy field in the locality. Mr. Varghese says the DTPC is planning to construct an open-air hall at the water park, besides linking the canal to the Alappuzha Canal.

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DTPC project in troubled waters

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