The Hindu : Front Page : CII moots `Heritage on Wheels'

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Monday, Dec 04, 2006
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CII moots `Heritage on Wheels'

Staff Reporter

Finance Minister P. Chidambaram releases report at Madurai meet

MADURAI: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has suggested introduction of a luxury train service,`Heritage on Wheels,' through Sivaganga district to promote `Chettinad offerings.'

An exclusive study pointed out that economic growth could be accelerated in the region if `Chettinad heritage tourism' was available as a package to tourists by linking the Madurai-Karaikudi-Rameswaram belt. The Union Finance Minister, P. Chidambaram, released the report here on Sunday on the concluding day of the conference on Southern Prosperity through Enhanced Economic Development (SPEED), organised by the CII.

The three key industries recommended for investments are: food and agro processing, heritage tourism and arts / crafts, and manufacture of Athangudi tiles.

Placing its suggestions before the potential investors, the conference emphasised that Sivaganga's heritage wealth must be fully tapped through a well-defined marketing strategy. The Chettinad culture, cuisine, traditions, temples and the distinct Athangudi tiles must be promoted through specially allotted funding.

According to the study, the investment requirement for developing heritage tourism is of the order of Rs.150 crore, which included the infrastructure component.

The CII report said that Sivaganga was one of the economically backward districts contributing to around 1.4 per cent of the State's Gross Domestic Product. The study was done in interaction with all stakeholders, including industry, educational institutions, Government and industry clusters. The weaknesses mentioned in the report were inadequate maintenance of mansions and bungalows, lack of private investment and hotels.

"The core value of Sivaganga is undoubtedly Chettinad culture and the success would lie in attracting tourists," the CII, which did the study along with ICRA Management Consulting Services Limited, said.

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