Tourism Minister Malladi Krishna Rao told the Assembly on Tuesday special tourism initiatives for Chennai-Mahabalipuram-Puducherry would start soon after holding talks with the Tamil Nadu Tourism department. Replying to the debate on demands, he said the department would take steps to obtain permission to start boat rides along the beach at a cost of Rs. 1 crore. "Works for beautification of the beach road will start in June and be completed by January 2009 at a cost of Rs. 5 crore. Renovation works for Gandhi Thidal and art and craft market will be carried out at Rs. 2.67 crore in June. It will be completed in January 2009,' he said. Seven new rooms would be constructed in the Chunnambar area. At the Seagulls Restaurant, 20 rooms, a swimming pool, gym and restaurant would be constructed at a cost of Rs. 5 crore, he said. Besides these, renovation works would commence at Yatri Nivas this year, he said, adding, "We will submit a project report to the Union government to develop and expand the Chunnambar boat house and beach. The government along with private firms had planned to construct five-star hotels and family recreation centres at Murungapakkam. This will be done after obtaining the approval of the Cabinet and the Union Home Ministry.' A project report to improve lakes in Bahour and Kirumampakkam would be submitted to the Central government, he pointed out. In Karaikal, the department would lay a footpath in the Arasalaru area at Rs. 4.78 crore, the works for this would commence in May. Works to renovate the Karaikal Ammaiyar Temple tank would be carried out from May 2008 to January 2009 at Rs. 3.45 crore, he said. The Minister said a family recreation centre and beach hotel would be constructed on Public-Private Partnership mode at Agaramankudi after getting the nod of the Cabinet and the Union Home Ministry. "It has been decided to grant permit to private firms to improve the Central government airport. Accordingly, the Ministry's approval will be obtained for an airport at Karaikal,' he said. To start boat rides in Athipadukai, a boat jetty would be constructed. "We will initiate works to improve the beach and riverbed at Mahe at Rs. 5 crore in June,' he added. At Yanam, the department would submit a project report to the Centre towards expansion plans to improve parks, the Minister said. Regarding the construction of a guest house at Tirupati, Mr. Rao said the Devasthanam was ready to allot land and he had requested the Chief Minister to allot Rs. 3 crore for the project. Participating in the debate, Leader of Opposition A.M.H. Nazeem urged the department to improve the condition of guest houses in the Union Territory. R.K.R.Anantharaman (Pattali Makkal Katchi) said an international airport should be established in Puducherry. J. Narayanasamy (Independent) said a Yatri Nivas should be established in Villianur. N. Anand (Puducherry Munnetra Congress) said garbage should be cleared regularly and more guides should be appointed in each area. A. Namassivayam (Congress) said the government could establish a theme park to attract tourists. A. Anbalagan (AIADMK) asked the department to install signboards with information on tourist spots and start a festival for traditional art forms.