More hotels to serve trekkers near Gudiyam Caves soon

Already a favourite weekend trek, the Gudiyam Caves in Tiruvallur are set to get an infrastructure push, with hotels, restaurants, and better facilities planned to make the experience more comfortable.Tiruvallur collector M Prathap chaired a meeting with officials from the district tourism department to decide on the amenities that can be provided to trekkers who come to Gudiyam Caves. "The ‘Trek Tamil Nadu' has been organising treks to Gudiyam Caves for some time now. It is arranged meticulously. But we felt that if more hotels and restaurants can be set up, it will be helpful for the trekkers. We will be setting them up soon," said Prathap.Gudiyam Caves trek is a four-hour easy trek covering 9 km. Trekkers throng here to see the relics of the Stone Age, and limestone caves. "It is one of the favourite destinations for trekkers from Chennai. On weekends, we have two batches - each comprising 15 members," said an official from Trek Tamil Nadu.He said that one request from trekkers is to have some hotels where they can stay. "If this is done, the visitors can go to nearby attractions such as Poondi Reservoir, Tirutanni Temple, Pulicat Lake, and other places. It can become a circuit too," said the official.Trekkers also want public transport to be improved. "The nearest bus stand and railway station is in Thiruvallur, which is more than 20 km away. We have to come by cab and return to Chennai. They should consider improving the public transport system," said K Anusha, a trekker.Meanwhile, collector Prathap said the district administration is also planning to create an Arupadai Veedu park in Tirutanni. "This is to boost temple tourism. We have identified 5 acres of land and it will have different themes of Lord Muruga. A DPR will be prepared soon," he said.