The second phase of development work offering better amenities for tourists and artisans is under way at the Sargaalaya Arts and Crafts Village in Vadakara. The project, opened by Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran here on Monday, mainly includes the completion of a four-storied building for the National Handicrafts Academy and better accommodation for artisans.
A recent allocation of ₹10 crore by the State government helped expedite the work. Promotion of innovative craft ideas, training of artisans with competitive designing concepts, and the popularisation of native craftsmanship through international exchange programme are in focus along with the completion of the new handicrafts academy and allied amenities.
In his inaugural address, the Minister pointed out that the completion of the second phase would be a fillip to the proposed Malabar tourism circuit project. “The project has already been included in the priority list of the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board,” he added.
K. Dasan, MLA, who submitted the Sargaalaya project for approval, said the handicrafts academy would be ready for opening by the end of 2018. It would be completed in such a way to provide quality accommodation for at least 2,000 artisans, he said adding that it would be the first-of-its-kind academy in the country to offer authentic training and guidance in crafts.
In the second phase, the Crafts Village will also benefit from an allied project that aims at linking all the nearby tourism attractions with its activities. The ₹42-crore project targets the gradual conversion of Kottathuruthy, a 20-acre island in the estuary of Moorad river near the Crafts Village, into a ‘cultural island’. It will be implemented with the support of over 50 families residing in the area.