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Flight services to begin in Puducherry airport from November-end

PUDUCHERRY: Announcing a slew of schemes to develop tourism in the Union Territory, Tourism Minister Malladi Krishna Rao on Saturday said that flight services would commence from the airport at Lawspet from the end of November.

Speaking at the World Tourism Day celebrations, in which Chief Minister V. Vaithilingam participated, he said the Airports Authority of India had spent over Rs. 18 crore for works at the airport, including land acquisition till now.

“The runway has been expanded by 260 metres,” he said.

Among other measures to boost tourism, he said the Union government had sanctioned Rs. 4.96 crore for beach development works in Puducherry. “Already, the Centre has given Rs. 4 crore for the works. We have issued a Government Order and the works will begin next month,” Mr. Rao said.

Similarly, the Centre would provide Rs. 2.83 crore for improving Gandhi Thidal, the works for which would begin next month, he added.

Mr. Vaithilingam said the Cabinet has decided to establish a family entertainment centre and food court at Murugappakkam on public-private partnership mode and another such facility would also come up at Karaikal.

“The Karaikal region has also been receiving lot of tourists, including pilgrims. We are planning to develop the place as a temple city and will start the works in a month. The tank at Saneeswarar Temple in Thirunallar will be renovated in the first phase at the cost of Rs. 14 crore to Rs. 15 crore. The work will start in two months,” he said.

The government would also set up big bus stands, construct cottages for accommodating tourists and food courts.

“We are planning to obtain a loan of Rs. 130 crore to Rs. 140 crore from the HUDCO for the projects. We will be meeting the Union Tourism Minister on October 7,” Mr. Vaithilingam said.

Through the PIPDIC, the government has introduced the bread and breakfast scheme, he said, adding,

“If anybody has a house with four rooms and is not using two rooms, they can rent it out to tourists. We will be giving loans to the persons. Such a facility is already in place at Chandigarh and Goa,” he said.

Among other initiatives to develop tourism, an eco-tourism project at Karaikal at the cost of Rs. 5 crore and beach development works at Yanam at the cost of Rs. 4.71 crore are being processed.

Member of Legislative Assembly S.P. Sivakumar urged the Chief Minister to bring in Goondas Act in Puducherry as soon as possible as it would ensure security to the tourists.

Addressing the gathering, Secretary of Tourism S. Kumaraswamy said the tourism industry was growing at a rate of 20 per cent in Puducherry. Director of Tourism Department P. Mathew Samuel said a number of events were held as part of the celebrations.

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