Kerala’s minister of tourism, Kadakampally Surendran laid the foundation for a ₹ 3-crore pilgrim amenity centre at the historical Madre De Deus Church, Vettukad, on Thursday (January 28, 2021).
“This is for the first time in the state that a government is taking initiative for building infrastructure facilities in places of worship. Madre De Deus Church, which reminds us of ancient churches in Rome because of its architectural features, has historical importance,” said Surendran in an official statement.
The facility aims to promote pilgrim tourism by connecting various pilgrim centres of different faiths. The amenity centres offer basic facilities for pilgrims visiting places of worship across Kerala.
Kerala government is undertaking several new projects to boost the pilgrim tourism circuit of the state.
Other projects coming up in different parts of Thiruvananthapuram district include those at Aniyoor, construction of auditoriums at Aliyavoor Siva Temple and Sri Durga Temple at Kallampally, Pilgrim Heritage Circuit at Kolathukara, development of destination facilities at Manvila, construction of amenity centres at Beemapally, St. Jude Pilgrim Centre at Vettinadu, Kusamuttam Temple, Chellamangalam Temple, Avukkulam Temple and Puthukkunnu CSI Church.
