Kottayam: The Public Works Department (PWD) is all set to open up its 153 rest houses across the State to the public. Works Minister P A Mohammed Riyas inaugurated the online facility to make advance booking of rooms on Monday.

The PWD has 10 rest houses at Kottayam, Changanassery, Pala, Arunapuram, Kaduthuruthy, Erattupetta, Vaikom, Kanjirappally, Erumely and Mundakkayam in the district. The rest houses have VIP rooms, suites, A and B class rooms providing facilities. VIP rooms, however, would not be available to the public.

Though the government had initially planned to open up the PWD rest houses to the public on November 1 last year, the plan was deferred due to the spread of COVID-19. The online booking, too, had started in 2020.

The PWD has fixed Rs 600 a day for B class rooms, and Rs 400 for A class rooms. The tariff for air-conditioned rooms and suites would differ based on the facilities provided.

Meanwhile, steps have been initiated to set up restaurants, comfort stations and other facilities to attract tourists and the public. Besides PWD, Minister Riyas is also in charge of the tourism portfolio.

Services of a manager would be available in first class rest houses. The rest houses at Kottayam, Changanassery, Vaikom, Arunapuram and Kaduthuruthy have been classified as first class in the district.

The rooms could be booked online over the website resthouse.pwd.kerala.gov.in.

Munnar rest house not to welcome guests now
Meanwhile, the rest house at Munnar, a major tourist destination, will not be welcoming guests due to a lack of infrastructure facilities and shortage of employees. The rest house at Munnar, which has nine rooms and three dormitories to accommodate 32 guests, was among the first 30 which was slated to be opened to the public in the first phase. A double-room here would be available for Rs 600.

The rest house, which require at least six employees, currently has only a cook-cum-watchman. Though space is available for a canteen, it is yet to begin. The renovation and furnishing of rooms, too, are still pending.

Rooms in the Munnar rest house could be booked through the Building Divisional Office at Painavu. Phone: 0486-2232382.

Rest houses and rooms in Kottayam
Kottayam: 23
Changanassery: 14
Vaikom: 14
Arunapuram: 9
Kaduthuruthy: 6
Erattupetta: 6
Pala: 4
Erumely: 4
Mundakkayam: 4

Kanjirappally: 3

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