The Hindu : Musical fountain at Akkulam ready for commissioning

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jun 13, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala-Thiruvananthapuram

Musical fountain at Akkulam ready for commissioning

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM June 12. The musical dancing fountain set up by the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) for domestic tourists at the Akkulam Tourist Village at a cost of Rs.42 lakhs, is ready for commissioning.

The cascade-type lotus-shaped music fountain is getting the finishing touches and the shows are expected to commence in a week after the formal inauguration, according to the DTPC secretary, G. Santamohan.

A unique feature of the cascade fountain, said to be the first of its kind in the State, is that it can be seen both during day and night as it has been enclosed in a 6,000 sq. ft. theatre.

The shows, to be held at 11 a.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays, will be of 30-minute duration. The DTPC authorities has decided to organise shows even after 7 p.m. on weekends if there is demand from the public.

Adults would be charged Rs. 20 and children, Rs.10. The authorities have decided to provide concession to school children brought in groups.

As many as 400 persons can view the fountain at a time from the gallery. The vacant space before the fountain can even be used for organising conferences, seminars, parties and other functions as it can accommodate another 100 persons, Mr. Santamohan said.

Built adjacent to the aqua-park at the tourist village, the fountain has a representation of the Sri Padmamanabha Swamy Temple as the backdrop. This city landmark has been selected for the backdrop of the fountain as it forms the emblem of the DTPC.

With the commissioning of the fountain, Tourism authorities hope that the locals, who are avoiding the tourist village due to a plethora of problems, will start flocking there again.

The DTPC hope that they can lure picnic groups, especially those from the educational institutions. At present, musical fountains are functioning at a private amusement park in Kochi and at the Thenmala ecotourism village in the neighbouring Kollam district.

Meanwhile, the efforts of the DTPC to provide other recreational facilities and to lure local tourists to Akkulam are on. The Rs. 1.75 lakhs renovation work of the children's park has entered the last phase with the landscaping work getting under way. The renovation work, taken up using the DTPC funds, is expected to be completed in 10 days.

The children's park at the village would be illuminated at a cost of Rs. 10 lakhs and there would be a generator for backup. The lighting would enable children to use the park till late in the evening.

An artificial waterfall with a water cascade is to be set up on the cliff facing the swimming pool of the tourist village at a cost of Rs. 22 lakhs. The Government had allocated Rs. 10 lakhs as the first tranche and the tendering process has begun. The waterfall is to be completed in three months' time.

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