KOCHI: The dream of non-resident Keralites (NRKs) for a heritage village in Kerala, Pravasi Gramam, is yet to spread its wings as the state government has not taken a final decision in this regard. The government had in principle given sanction for the development of the Pravasi Gramam at Kappil near Varkala on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram. A sum of Rs 25 lakh has been allotted for the project in the budget and the land was identified for the purpose.The proposal was to set up the Gramam which gives an experience of the cultural ethos of the ancestral land. The Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) is the nodal agency for the project which was mooted by the Norka Department. KSIDC sources said that though the land has been identified, no directive has been given by the Norka Department on how to implement it. Though the project was given the sanction a year ago it is still in the infant stage. Other than land identification, nothing has happened. The state government is yet to conduct a feasibility study on the project.A committee has been formed to take up the project further but there is no clear directive from any of the departments. When the interim budget was presented by Finance Minister K M Mani, sufficient fund was not sanctioned to take up the project further.
The recreated Gramam was supposed to come up on 500 acres of land in a miniature Kerala form at an estimated cost of Rs 750 crore. The plan was to make the Gramam a classical depiction of the vibrant life of Kerala, both socially and culturally. It was also to act as a platform to introduce the new generation to their family roots.Norka deputy secretary Harrison said that a study was still on to implement the project. The feasibility study and a final decision are yet to be taken, he said. The proposal was to establish a traditional market, villas, apartments, time share, geriatric homes, international school, professional college, kids corner and play school, playground, kalari and yoga school, kala gramam, museum of Kerala history and culture, traditional market, native eateries and ayurvedic centre and a hospital. The project proposal was to be implemented with the funds from NRKs and the government.
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