Vithura: The misty hills of Ponmudi is all set to welcome tourists during the Onam holiday season. The construction of infrastructure and other developmental projects to ensure a great tourism experience is almost in the final stages. Once the projects get completed, Ponmudi will surely don a new and improved look. 

The developmental projects worth Rs 1 crore at the PWD rest house in Ponmudi will reportedly get completed soon. Meanwhile, Minister PA Muhammad Riyas has said that it will be inaugurated before Onam. The renovated rest house would have toilet facilities and a cafeteria too. 

Beautification of the rest house and its vicinity too is part of the project. Meanwhile, the construction of the multi storey building in the government guest house is in the final stage. The building that has 22 rooms is built on a budget of Rs 10.4 crore. DK Murali MLA told Manorama Online that the construction is continuing swiftly despite the unfavourable weather in the area. 

Meanwhile, the tender procedures for the construction of the multi storey building close to the rest house has been completed. The construction of the building will reportedly begin in October. There will be eight rooms and two dormitories in three floors. Currently, the weather in Ponmudi is quite cold with dense and heavy rains. The tourists are flocking the hill station to enjoy the cool breeze. 

No hike in fee

The forest department will not implement its decision to hike the entry fee. Severe protests have been raised against the decision to double the fee at the Forest Development Agency’s meeting. Besides, many political parties threatened to hold protest meets in case the forest department implemented the decision. 

Weather matters

Ponmudi is witnessing severe rainfall which is quite unexpected, increasing the risk of mud slides. Besides, authorities have been issuing warnings of severe thunderstorm too. So, the entry could be banned at any moment owing to the weather conditions. In the last three months, tourists were banned from entering Ponmudi at least four times. The forest department urges the tourists to cooperate with the authorities if the weather gets worse.

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