Kuruvilangad: With better infrastructure and good amenities, Koorumala, the second tallest peak in the Ernakulam district, is all set to welcome tourists. A watch-tower, walkway to the hill, railings, and landscaping have been completed at Koorumala, situated at the Elanji panchayat.
The District Tourism Promotion Council had discovered that Koorumala was second highest peak after Malayattoor Kurishumudy only in 1985.
Exploring tourism possibilities
After this, several studies were conducted but no projects materialised.
Though it found a place in the tourism survey 25 years ago, Koorumala revived its tourism hopes only in 2012. After the intervention of the then ministers A P Anil Kumar and K M Mani, a Rs 50-lakh project was given the go ahead.
Chennai tourism council chief landscape architect K Raghuraman visited Koorumala and submitted a draft to the District Tourism Promotion Council.
The rocky terrain of this place is suitable for adventure tourism and trekking. Koorumala is just four km away from MC Road.
From different spots on the hills, you can observe the various towns in the district. People flock to the hill for the splendid views and enjoy the sunset.
The district mountaineering association had been organising several training sessions since 2010 after the place was found to be ideal for rock climbing. Training was given on rock climbing using ropes, rappelling, and artificial jumar climbing.
Rs 50-lakh project
The project was started by the state tourism department during the tenure of the previous United Democratic Front (UDF) government. Anoop Jacob MLA has said that the Rs 50-lakh project has been completed.
Though the administrative nod was given for the project in 2013, the work got delayed due to technical reasons.
The project was speeded up after a committee led by the MLA held frequent meetings to check the progress.
The work on the Neloorupara-Koorumala road is progressing using the Rs 20 lakh allotted from the MLA fund. Once the work is completed, the vehicles can go all the way up to the top of the Koorumala.
With this, a long-standing demand of over 30 families would finally be met. In the second phase of the development, accommodation facilities for the tourists would be made.
