'Surprise project for Thiruvananthapuram'; CM Satheesan gives hint during Onam week celebration

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister V D Satheesan said that the goal is to make Kerala a world-class tourism destination. The chief minister ensured that the work for the same will begin this year.

Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan was inaugurating the state-level, week-long Onam celebration of the Tourism Department.

Comprehensive projects are being launched to present the natural beauty of Kerala at the international level. An integrated tourism project will be implemented by combining ports, backwaters and rivers.

Cruise terminals and river cruises will be implemented to ramp up tourism. Road and rail connectivity will be strengthened. All tourist centres will be made 'zero waste' centres with public participation. The Chief Minister said that an oceanarium will be set up along with promoting beach, river and forest tourism. The presiding Minister P.C. Vishnunath said that the week-long celebration aims to present the life and culture of Malayalees to the world.

Shashi Tharoor MP, MLAs M. Vincent, N. Shaktan, G. Stephen, Ramya Haridas, Sudhirsha Palode, G. R. Anil, Mayor V. V. Rajesh, District Panchayat President V. Priyadarshini, Chief Secretary Bishwanath Sinha, Tourism Secretary K. Biju, Director M. Anjana, Additional Director Sreedhanya Suresh and others participated.

The Chief Minister said that an international-standard cultural park and a state-of-the-art film city will be made a reality in the memory of literary giant MT Vasudevan Nair. An international-standard International Maritime Museum will be set up to showcase Kerala's maritime heritage, including the Portuguese, Dutch and British periods. The main plan for the capital will be announced soon with the participation of ministers, MP Shashi Tharoor and MLAs. It will be a surprise, he said.