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Tourism News

Centre Approves Rs 169 Crore for Major Tourism Projects in Kerala

Published in Newsletter Issue No. 380 - April 2025

Kerala has received a significant boost to its tourism infrastructure with the Central Government granting administrative and financial approval for two flagship projects worth Rs 169.05 crore under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 initiative. These projects, designed and submitted by the State Tourism Department, aim to elevate the tourism experience in Alappuzha and Palakkad by capitalising on the state's natural and cultural assets.

The project titled “Alappuzha - A Global Water Wonderland” is allocated Rs 93.17 crore and is set to transform the district into a premier international water tourism hub. The initiative focuses on integrated development of the region’s water-based attractions, including beach front enhancements, canal-side beautification, advanced waste management systems, a state-of-the-art international cruise terminal, and community-centered cultural experiences.

Meanwhile, the “Enhancement of Tourist Experience at Malampuzha Garden and Leisure Park” in Palakkad has been sanctioned with an outlay of Rs 75.87 crore. This project will rejuvenate one of north Kerala’s most-visited attractions through the creation of themed recreational zones, modern landscaping, hospitality facilities, walking trails, cultural exhibition spaces, water features, and sustainable waste management infrastructure.

Welcoming the Centre’s decision, Shri P. A. Mohamed Riyas, Minister, Kerala Tourism, noted that these developments will further establish Kerala as a premier destination in both domestic and international tourism circuits. He emphasized that Alappuzha’s integrated water tourism plan would benefit the broader southern region of the state, while the Malampuzha upgrade would energise tourism prospects across northern Kerala.

The Minister also highlighted that he had presented these proposals to Union Tourism Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat during his recent visit to Thiruvananthapuram for a tourism review meeting. Both projects are scheduled to be completed by March 31, 2026, and are expected to significantly enhance the quality and appeal of Kerala’s tourism offerings.