PAC reviews Keralam tourism projects aboard houseboat in backwaters
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PAC tourism meeting in a houseboat from Kumarakom to Alappuzha.Β Photo: Special Arrangement
The Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC), chaired by senior Congress leader K.C. Venugopal, on Friday (November 6, 2026) held what he described as the first meeting of its kind aboard a houseboat in the backwaters of Alappuzha, reviewing tourism development initiatives and examining the implementation of the Centreβs Swadesh Darshan scheme and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Golf Club project in Keralam.
Sharing details of the meeting on X, Mr. Venugopal said the committee, along with representatives of the Union Tourism Ministry, the SAI, and the Kerala Government, discussed ways to strengthen tourism infrastructure and explore new destinations and opportunities for tourism development in the State.
βTourism is an integral part of Keralaβs economy, and our beautiful State sees lakhs of domestic and international tourists visit through the year. Our endeavour is to ensure the infrastructure is at par with global standards, and also to explore new destinations and opportunities for tourism development,β he said.
According to sources, PAC members were critical of the implementation of the Swadesh Darshan scheme, a centrally funded programme launched in 2014-15 to develop theme-based tourist circuits across the country. Members said several projects had been sanctioned without adequate planning and, in many cases, without resolving land acquisition requirements in advance.
Sources said concerns were also raised over the lack of a robust monitoring mechanism to track the progress of projects after sanctions were issued. Members suggested promoting lesser-known destinations alongside established tourist centres. The issue of hotel tariffs was also discussed, with concerns raised over high room rates even during the off-season. Members suggested exploring mechanisms to monitor pricing practices and improve affordability for visitors. BJP MPs Jagdambika Pal, Aparajita Sarangi, and K. Laxman also attended the meeting.
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