Kerala   

Poor amenities, unhygienic habits Tourism trail

— Photo: Vipinchandran

HAZARD: A broken footpath slab near the Dwaraka bus stop on M.G. Road.

Foreign tourists visiting Kerala are generally happy with the food and hospitality that they get, but are put off by the quality of physical infrastructure and some ‘habits’ that refuse to die.

They are particularly offended by people spitting on roads, walkways and public places, the stench emanating from clogged drains, ‘corners’ which have been turned into urinals and the pathetic condition of footpaths and some roads. Their e ye for detail and their yearning to check out different places on foot provides them ample opportunities to experience the pluses and minuses of what permanent residents (most of whom travel around in vehicles) have become used to.

Out in Kochi city, the footpaths on either side of the Park Avenue Road (an area frequented by tourists) from St Teresa’s College to Rajendra Maidan are in bad shape and the proposal to convert this stretch into a model road is hanging fire. Footpaths in the Fort Kochi heritage zone, which have been paved using costly granite too are ill-maintained and poorly lit. Garbage has been dumped on footpaths in many areas.

The Ernakulam main boat jetty teems with foreigners all through the tourist season. The approach road is in ruins and the narrow walkway that leads from the main road to the jetty does not have lights. The area around the jetty is filled with slushy soil, making walking quite risky. Few abide by the queue system at the ticket counter, making matters worse.

A traveller from France – Claude, staying at Walton’s Home Stay in Fort Kochi along with his wife and two daughters spoke of the travails that he underwent while travelling on foot from the Mattancherry synagogue to Fort Kochi. “The footpath was not at all even and had many broken slabs. The stench from the canals made matters worse. ”

Other aspects that catch the eye of discerning tourists include inadequate pay-and-use lavatories and unscientific waste disposal by hotels and houseboats. Despite all talk of promoting monsoon tourism, the Government and local bodies have not repaired damaged roads, whose condition will get worse in the rains.

Francis Fournier, another traveller from France spoke of how he was put off by people who jumped the queue at the railway station here. “Even people in the huge queue were jostling for space and this tests one’s patience. Most autorickshaw drivers take us to shops where they get handsome commission. Knowing that the mosquito problem is acute in Kochi, I have been taking immunisation tablets and regularly apply mosquito-repellent cream on the body.” He prefers to travel by train, considering the rash driving on Kerala roads and the tendency of people to spit on the road.

John L. Paul

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