TN Govt Announces 15 Tourism Projects Including R K Nagar Beach Feasibility Study

Tamil Nadu Minister for Tourism S Rajesh Kumar announced 15 new initiatives in the state assembly on Wednesday to upgrade tourism infrastructure, improve visitor safety, and establish new travel corridors across the state, including feasibility studies for R K Nagar beach in Chennai.

Presenting the demands for grants in the assembly, the minister outlined project allocations across multiple districts aimed at raising the state's tourism sector to global standards. He noted that domestic tourist arrivals in Tamil Nadu increased from 30.80 crore in 2024 to 36.47 crore in 2025, keeping the state ranked second in the country for domestic tourism.

As part of the new Chennai-focused plans, the tourism department will conduct a feasibility study to assess the development of tourism infrastructure along the R K Nagar beach. Additionally, the department has proposed technical feasibility studies costing Rs 2 crore for new cruise and ferry tourism routes, which will evaluate routes between Chennai and Kovalam, Poompuhar to Tharangambadi and Nagapattinam, and Rameswaram to Tuticorin and Kanyakumari.

To position the state capital as a major corporate destination, the government will establish the Chennai MICE Promotion Bureau to attract meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions.

Across the wider state, the government has earmarked Rs 48 crore for tourism development projects in Kanyakumari, Tirupur, Krishnagiri, and Erode districts. Kanyakumari district alone will receive Rs 18 crore for infrastructure works at sites including its coastal area, the Thengapattanam dam, the Colachel coastal area, and Chitharal.

Another Rs 30 crore has been allocated to create new amenities such as pedestrian pathways, access roads, sightseeing facilities, visitor amenities, and food parks. To promote sustainable transport, the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation will replace its existing diesel boats with electric boats at a cost of Rs 17.82 crore.

For visitor safety, the department has earmarked Rs 2 crore to install AI-enabled CCTV cameras at key destinations. Dedicated tourist security organisations will be established in Ooty, Mamallapuram, Kanyakumari, Rameswaram, and Kodaikanal. The government will also spend Rs 1 crore on training programmes for tourist guides, hotel staff, travel agents, lifeguards, and entrepreneurs.

Other initiatives include a Rs 60 lakh rural tourism project to support local handicrafts, heritage, and village tourism, alongside plans to advance a rope car project linking tourist locations in Dindigul district and Kodaikanal to the foothills via Vellagavi after technical approvals.