Kadalundi: The Kottakadavu floating restaurant project envisaged by the tourism department as part of tourism development in the area has been delayed indefinitely. The construction of the floating restaurant that began around two and half years ago hasn’t finished yet. It’s been two years since a concrete platform was built and paved with interlocking blocks ahead of constructing a 43-metre-long jetty on the banks of Kadalundi River. 

Steps too have been built here after installing hand railings. However, electrical works, decorative lamp installation and landscaping are pending. The project had hit a roadblock in the first phase of construction, after it faced legal action for allegedly encroaching the river. 

The tourism department, meanwhile, has set aside Rs 3.94 crore for developing the floating restaurant project in Kottakadavu. The plan for the floating restaurant was prepared after an expert technical team from the Chennai IIT inspected the site and ensured safety and stability. The floating restaurant that can accommodate up to 82 guests was supposed to be built in Kochi and then transported to kottakadavu. 

The project implementation has been entrusted to the Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation that has expertise in the designing and building of passenger boats and floating structures.