KTDC to construct Yatri Nivas at Kanyakumari

Thiruvananthapuram: A new Yatri Nivas will come up on the premises of

Kerala House

in

Kanyakumari

, adding value to Kerala holiday packages.

The state tourism department has already prepared a detailed project report (DPR) for the new facility, which is also aimed to accommodate government guests besides tourists.

The government has now accorded administrative sanction to the project estimated to cost Rs 17.6 crore, and Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (

KTDC

) has been entrusted with the task of executing the project within a period of 30 months.

With the existing Kerala House on the state-owned 1.6 hectre-land having limited accommodation facility (around 8 rooms), the demand for a larger property was long pending.

“The new Yatri Nivas will come up on the vacant space behind Kerala House. And, we will be retaining the Kerala House, as it’s an old heritage building which is to be protected,” said tourism director P Bala Kiran.

The project has a concept similar to that of KTDC’s Rain Drops hotel in Chennai, which has specific number of rooms reserved for both government guests and tourists.

“In Chennai, Kerala government does not own any guest houses. This is the new model we have adopted while establishing new properties. We do not want to limit the new facilities to government guests alone,” the tourism director added.

Besides, the new Yatri Nivas with its scenic location and exotic ambience, is expected to top the list of KTDC’s premium hotels.

“The new property will have facilities superior to those in Hotel Tamil Nadu, owned by Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) and located adjacent to Kerala House,” said KTDC chairman M Vijayakumar.

There will be around 30 rooms, including suites and standard double rooms. Though located behind Kerala House, the rooms to be on the upper floors will still have a view of the sea.

The ground and lower floors will house other facilities including two restaurants, board room and a modern kitchen.