THIRUVANTHAPURAM: In an ambitious move, the Kerala government is all set to embark on a project to develop tourism townships in the state with the help of the United Arab Emirates. Despite its somewhat bitter experience on the LIFE Mission project, the LDF government has decided to go ahead with the UAE proposal. A working group has been set up to study the plan to develop townships in Vagamon and Munnar.

Chaired by the chief secretary, the six-member working group will include the tourism secretary, additional chief secretaries of local self-government (LSG) and forest departments, in addition to the revenue and LSG principal secretaries. According to an order issued by the tourism department on January 18, the group has been asked to look into all aspects of the project and come up with suggestions to take it forward.

The order, however, does not mention the nature of the UAE government’s involvement. Any investment would require central clearance. The order is also silent on whether private investment will be sought for the project. “The whole process is in the preliminary stage,” said Tourism Secretary K Biju. “The UAE government forwarded the proposal. And we have taken initial steps. The working committee will study all aspects, including feasibility of the project,” he told TNIE.

It was during a meeting between UAE ambassador and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in April 2023 that the West Asian country expressed its interest to develop tourism townships in hill stations. The meeting also decided to form a working group to study the proposal. On December 13, 2023, the tourism department informed the revenue department of the plan. Following this, the revenue principal secretary instructed the land revenue commissioner to identify suitable plots.

It is after a gap of five years that the UAE and LDF governments are exploring another possible collaboration. In 2019, the two signed the agreement for a housing scheme and a hospital at Wadakkanchery in Thrissur. However the project kicked up controversy over the alleged payment of commissions and bribes. Following this, the Enforcement Directorate registered a case and attached assets of many of those named in the alleged scandal. The central government had also objected to the UAE government’s willingness to extend financial assistance to Kerala after the 2018 floods.

Meanwhile, apprehensions have been raised about the environmental impact of the proposed project on Munnar and Vagamon. Construction in ecologically fragile areas nearly 3,000ft above sea level could present challenges for the government.

Townships In highlands

• A working group has been set up to study the plan to develop townships in Vagamon and Munnar

• Chaired by the chief secretary, the six-member working group has been asked to look into all aspects of the project and come up with suggestions

• The order by tourism dept does not mention the nature of the UAE government’s involvement.