Tourist arrivals: TN remains at top, says Vellamandi Natarajan

Tiruchy: Tamil Nadu has been maintaining its first position in arrivals of domestic tourists in the last five years, while it regained its top slot in arrival of foreign tourists in the last four years, said Tourism minister Vellamandi Natarajan.

The minister was speaking to reporters here on Sunday after going through the state-of-art police control room set up in Tiruchy at a cost of  one crore. His cabinet colleague, Mrs. Valarmathi, and district collector, K Rajamani were among those present on the occasion.

He said the State will approach the Union Government for availing adequate funds under ‘Prashad’ scheme to develop more facilities and boost tourism at Mukkombu (Upper Anicut) and Grand Anicut in Thanjavur district. The Centre had already given financial assistance under ‘Prashad’ scheme for kancheepuram and Nagapattinam (Velankanni), he said.

To a question, Mr. Natarajan said after consulting the Forest Minister road and other infrastructural facilities will be added at the butterfly park at Srirangam-Tiruchy.

Mr. K. Rajamani said the administration has sent a proposal to the government for widening the Tiruchy-Karur National highway between Tiruchy city and Thiruparaithurai at an estimated cost of Rs 30 crore, including a new bridge across Kudamurutti river at a cost of Rs 10 crore.

City police commissioner, Mr. A. Amalraj explained the salient features of the modernised control room to the ministers and others present.