Chennai, India, 2024-Dec-29 — /Travel PR News/ — Mamallapuram is one of the most popular destinations in the country which was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO way back in 1984. The destination and the neighboring areas along the East Coast Road (ECR) is going to witness several mega projects in the coming year.
The destination had been the venue for India China Summit (2019), the International Chess Olympiad (2022) and a venue of G20 Summit (2023) which witnessed a lot of improvements in basic infrastructure. Mamallapuram is also the venue for annual tourism and sports events like the renowned Mamallapuram Dance Festival, Tamil Nadu Kite Festival, and the surfing festival.
South Asia’s first certified World Heritage destination
Mamallapuram was awarded ‘Green Destinations Silver’ Certification this year which became the first awarded site in India and the first World Heritage Site in the South Asia region to be awarded a sustainability certification. The site also was shortlisted as one among the ‘Top 100 destinations’ in the ITB Berlin Travel Mart, 2024. The award also has enabled Mamallapuram to be part of the ‘Good Travel Alliance’ as a founding destination.
India’s first ‘Green Energy Heritage Site’
This iconic landmark of Shore Temple in Mamallapuram achieved the distinction of becoming India’s first Green Energy Archaeological Site in 2023. This achievement is the result of the Green Heritage Project, a collaborative initiative between the Renault Nissan and Hand in Hand India. Lighting in the Shore Temple, a new reverse osmosis (RO) plant to provide clean drinking water and eco-friendly electric buggies are all powered by three 10 kw solar power plants.
Upcoming major tourism projects in and around Mamallapuram
Tourism and associated sector investments worth more than Rs. 1000 crore is under implementation and in planning stage in and round Mamallapuram and East Coast Road. This is apart from upcoming premium resorts in the vicinity. All these will transform the stretch between Chennai and Mamallapuram into a tourism and leisure corridor soon.
Swadesh Darshan 2.0
The heritage destination has been one among the two destinations selected from the state of Tamil Nadu for the ambitious Swadesh Darshan 2.0 project of Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. The project aims holistic and sustainable development of tourism destinations with a focus on unique experiences and the first phase of the project focuses on ‘The Immersive Experience at Shore Temple’.
Nandavanam Heritage Park
To boost tourism, the state is planning a massive 223-acre eco-park near Kovalam (Covelong) Beach. The project titled ‘Nandavanam Heritage Park’ is planned at a budget of Rs. 100 crores under Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme of Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and is set to become a prime recreational destination. The park promises a unique blend of Tamil heritage, nature, and family-friendly attractions.
Glow Garden
Another major upcoming project in Mamallapuram is the ‘Glow Garden’ which is being designed inside a 2.48-acre land inside the ‘Maragatha Poonga’. The project is implemented by TTDC under the PPP mode through Sunvin Mamallapuram Glow Garden LLP at a cost of Rs. 8 crores. The park will have selfie points, adventure rides, mini 5D cinema, a water park with rides and slides and a diverse selection of food courts.
Kalaignar International Convention Centre
The ‘Kalaignar International Convention Centre’ is another big project being built at an estimated cost of Rs 487 crore. This sprawling convention centre spread across five lakh square feet is planned off the scenic East Coast Road in Muttukadu between Chennai and Mamallapuram.
Bharathamritham
The Mata Amritanandamayi Mandir Trust (MAMAT) is envisaging a Cultural Theme Park at Poonjeri near Mamallapuram showcasing the values and culture of India named ‘Bharathamritham’. The project is going to be the largest of its kind in the country spanning about hundred acres whose MOU was signed in the Tamil Nadu Global Investor’s Meet. The firs phase of the project will be spread over 75 acres with a built-up area of 11.44 lakh sq ft and will be built at a cost of Rs. 328 crores.