Pilgrim Facilitation Centers Will Be Set Up: Minister For Tourism

ET&T Staff- Mumbai

K. C. Venugopal

Kerala Tourism would assist infrastructure development programmes in various places of worship in the state, said K. C. Venugopal, Minister for Tourism. As part of the project, development programmes worth Rs 138 million would be implemented in twenty-five places of worship belonging to various religions.

The project at Attukal Temple is first in the programme set up by the ministry and would cost Rs 5.485 million. The aim of the project is to develop quality infrastructure facilities for devotees and not to turn the places as tourist centres, the minister clarified. The committees of the respective places of worship would take care of the facilities developed according to the rituals and traditions of the place.

The facilities to be developed in the centres are waiting lounge, public toilets and bathrooms, parking area, landscaped area, open space, information and facilitation centres, shopping malls and kiosks, dormitory and few rooms, lighting, signage and restoration work if the building is a heritage structure. However, the facilities to be developed would depend on the extent of land availability, the demand for the facility, existing facilities and importance of the centre.