Rising footfalls to Valluvar statue turn spotlight on safety, amenities
CHENNAI: The increasing footfalls to the ‘towering’ attraction at the Land’s End – the 133-feet high Thiruvalluvar statue, has turned the focus on safety of tourists and needto purchase additional ferries.
The number of tourists visiting the stupendous statue of Valluvar, adjoining the Vivekananda Rock Memorial off the coast of Kanyakumari is increasing by about a lakh annually. The granite statue had received over 21.67 lakh visitors during 2017 – 18 and 20.65 lakhs tourists including foreigners during 2016 - 17.
In order to meet the needs of the tourists, the Poompuhar Shipping Corporation (PSC) Ltd., which operates ferry service from the shore to the monuments of the two savants, would soon purchase two more ferries with a capacity of 150 and 75 passengers for the Kanyakumari ferry service. This would cost Rs. 6.08 crore including GST and the proposal has been approved by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which is currently scrutinising the tenders.
At present, the corporation operates three ferries - M. L. Guhan, M. L. Pothigai and M. L. Vivekananda with a carrying capacity of 150 passengers each. Also, on the cards is to extend the length of the berth at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial jetty by 54 meters with financial assistance from the Central government. The project, which would cost Rs. 20 crore, would be executed under the Sagarmala programme and 50 per cent of the cost would be borne by the PSC. The corporation has already approved the release of its share of Rs. 10 crore. The project will be executed by the Tamil Nadu Maritime Board.
On July 17, Tourism Minister Vellamandi N. Natarajan had informed the Assembly that the State Tourism Department is considering a proposal to install a rope car facility from the shore to the statue to serve as added attraction to tourists.
The Thiruvalluvar statue, sculpted by V. Ganapati Sthapati, and unveiled on January 1, 2000, is situated about 400 meters from the coast and stands majestically tall on an island. Ferry service from the mainland to Vivekananda Rock Memorial stops briefly at the Valluvar statue. The combined height of the statue (of 95 feet) and pedestal is 133 feet, denoting the 133 chapters of the Thirukkural.
