Kizhakkambalam, Ernakulam: The Kadambrayar area is all set to welcome tourists here as a rainbow bridge is fast nearing completion at Manakakadavu. Officials say that the concrete works would be finished within a month, and then the suspension bridge would be erected. It is expected that tourist arrivals which had declined in the past few years is expected to pick up if an old tourism project is executed in earnest.
The village tourism project, which included the construction of cottages, parks, parking area, multiplex theatres, convention centre etc., was proposed earlier, but it did not take off. The tourists reaching Kadambrayar complain that there are no public toilet facilities and the district promotion council has not yet done anything for the development of the basic facilities.
Even though there is a scope for inland water transportation/tourism, the government is yet to intervene to make it a reality. Lakhs of rupees were spent to increase the depth of the Kadambrayar lake, and this has subsequently increased the velocity of the water flow which makes it suitable for boat services. Presently, the boating services here have been suspended owing to the construction of the rainbow bridge.
The water transport department has already started boat services from Vyttila to Kakkanadu, and it would attract more number of tourists if this service is extended till Kadambrayar as well. A boating trip which would enable the tourists to enjoy the magnificent smart city and info park would be a unique experience.
Experts say boating services could further be extended if boat jetties are constructed at places like Kizhakkambalam Angady, Pazhanganadu, Puthusserykadavu, Chantakadavu, Manakkakadavu, Thalikallu and Papparakadavu.
Wanton waste disposal
Dumping chemical wastes in the Kadambrayar lake has become a major concern in the last few years. The lake was once abundant with aquatic life. However, the influx of chemical waste from the industries situated in the area near the lake has now suffocated the water body. Though thousands of dead fishes had washed ashore many a times, the authorities have turned a blind eye towards the industries which pollute the lake.
Industrial wastes are dumped into the lake through pipes. Hotel and slaughterhouse wastes too are discarded in sacks into the lake at Pallikara–Manakkakadavu road. The fields near the Kadambrayar lake have now become the dumping ground for toilet waste also.
