|
The
Investment opportunity in Bekal
Millennium
Opportunity
Realizing
the importance of tourism sector in the economic
development, the Government of Kerala has declared tourism
as an industry. Tourism is the fastest growing and foremost
income generating sector after Information Technology. Bekal
offers vide variety of investment opportunity from large
scale to small scale investment. This opportunity can be
regarded as the best investment opportunity of the
millennium.
Attractions
and importance of ‘Bekal’
Bekal
is a ‘Green field’ destination and offers the best for
the investment due to:
-
Other
beach destinations are over crowded, Bekal is unhampered
by mass tourism.
-
Easy
Road, Rail and Air accessibility.
-
Infrastructure
being developed matching international standards.
-
The
first planned eco-friendly destination
-
Rich
cultural heritage.
-
Beautiful
beaches and backwaters
-
The
land of Forts and Temples
-
Tourism
attraction in the surrounding places
-
Accessibility
to the important tourist and pilgrim centres in
Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
-
The
resort sites identified and developed are the prime
sites having natural attractions and ideal for
resort/hotel and other tourism based purposes.
-
Provision
of all infrastructure facilities
-
Control
and regulation of development activities from the
beginning so as to make the destination development in a
planned manner.
-
Well
planned beautiful public beach at Pallikkere.
-
Investment
Subsidy and other incentives are available subject to
the rules in this regard.
-
Easy
availability of loans for setting up the hotel project.
-
Possibility
of getting concessional rate for water, electricity etc.
The
above shows that Bekal is the ideal place in Kerala where a
new investor in resort/hotel industry can invest.
Investment
Options
1.
Tourism related
Various
opportunities available in Bekal Project area includes:
Resort/Hotel
Industry
Bekal
Resort Development Corporation has acquired land for the
development of resorts and hotels of star category.
Initially there will be six resorts of varying sizes
extending from 25 to 45 Acres.
Attractions
of the Resort Site includes:
-
Beach
frontage to most of the resort sites
-
Backwater
coverage to most of the resort sites
-
Historical
monument “Bekal Fort” nearby
-
Preplanned
sites
-
Easy
accessibility by the road. Accessibility through
waterways to some of the
resort sites
-
Fenced
and clearly demarcated boundaries
-
High
tension electrical line to al the resort sites
-
Water
supply scheme to all the resort sites
-
All
the sites having greenery of coconut garden
-
Street
lighting in the project area
-
Friendly
neighbourhood and local community
-
Access
to Railway and Bus Terminus
Infrastructure
of international standards is being developed by BRDC. All
the resort sites are easily accessible by road. Separate
road access has been provided to each resort site. Railway
Station is within short distance from the resort sites.
Besides
Hotels/Resorts other
important investment
options in and around Bekal are:
a)
Ayurveda Health Holiday Centre
Ayurveda
is traditional health care system of Kerala followed since
ages which has got long standing effects without any side
effect. In today’s hectic schedule and activities of
people, ayurvedic massaging and other treatments on a
periodical basis is always a welcome step to have ayurvedic
rejuvenation for better health not only by curing but also
by preventing diseases. Ayurveda is becoming more and more
popular among the domestic and international tourists.
At
present there is no major Ayurvedic Health Centres in Bekal
area which offers facilities to the tourists. It will be a
golden opportunities to invest in Ayurvedic Health Holiday
Centre.
b)
Heritage Homes
Bekal
is the land of forts and rich cultural heritage. Bekal
region has some old houses built in the traditional Kerala
style. These houses which are more than 50 years old
can be converted into excellent accommodation options
maintaining their traditional architecture. This
category of accommodation has been accorded special status
for the purpose of investment subsidy, classification of
hotels. This option is becoming very popular and the
domestic/international tourists prefer to stay in this kind
of accommodations. This is an excellent option for
investment.
c)
Theme Parks
Theme
Parks are the order of the day especially from the tourist
point of view. Domestic as well as international
tourists prefer and enjoy this facility. In Bekal, land is
available for setting up amusement/theme parks. The land
along the coastal belt in Pallikkere near the public beach
is ideal for the purpose. However, the development has to be
made subject to the CRZ regulations in force from time
to time. The number of domestic and international
tourists visiting Bekal has increased to many folds.
Considering the above points it will be an excellent option
for investment.
d)
Development of Garden
The
land along the public beach has got another alternative use
for development of a beautiful garden with facilities for
children play equipments like mini train etc. The
centre is run on commercial basis by charging suitable fee.
This can be run as an independent activity.
f)
Tourism Allied Industries
With
the development of the area, there will be new demand for
various articles and items needed for the tourists.
Therefore, new units of small and medium size industries may
be set up for production of such articles to cater to the
demand. This is the right time for setting up of such
units so that the product can be launched in the market
before or simultaneously with the creation of demand.
Therefore, setting up of such units can be considered now.
Some
of the allied sectors identified includes:
-
Mineral
water units
-
Coconut
paste
-
Sweet
toddy
-
Mechanised
Washing System
-
Baking
-
Fruits
and preservation
-
Manufacturing
of organic manure from the solid waste generated
-
Hotel
accessories (tissue paper, tooth picks etc)
-
Handicrafts
articles
-
Meat
products
-
Landscaping
-
Nursurey
& Floriculture
-
Tour
Travel Operators
-
Organic
Vegetable Farms
-
Areca
nut leaf plates/crops
-
Handicrafts/curios
Details
of Site Developed
The objectives
In
a large perspective, besides promoting the Bekal Project,
BRDC will act as the premier resource as well as development
agency for tourism in northern Kerala. The main objectives
are:
-
To
organise scientific studies and surveys for the balanced
and planned development of the destination
-
To
facilitate tourism development of the area by setting up
necessary infrastructure facilities like water and power
supply, sanitation, solid waste disposal and roads.
-
To
develop and improve existing as well as new tourism
attractions in and around the area.
-
To
impart technical and other guidance to all concerned,
for tourism and related development in Bekal as well as
northern Kerala.
Comprehensive
basic infrastructure
Water
supply:
A 7 mld river based water supply scheme is under
implementation. River Karicheri, a tributary of the
Chandragiri, has been identified as the water source.
Roads:
The
Bekal Project area is near National Highway 17 on SH 10.
Facilities have been developed as part of the transport
development plan and roads constructed according to
requirement. The transport plan identifies upgradation of 26
km coastal highway from two lane to four lane, widening of
22 km of existing roads, strengthening of 3 bridges,
construction of 1.5 km of new roads, construction of 2 new
bridges and development of a transport terminal apart from
the maintenance of 200 km of existing roads and improvement
of 12 road junctions. Roads have been constructed to connect
each developed resort site to State Highway and National
Highway.
Rail:
Situated
in Calicut - Mangalore - Mumbai route.
Solid
waste treatment and management: A
scheme is introduced in the project are to cater to the
disposal of solid waste below at the rate of 500kg/day using
a vermi-compost biotechnology.
Power:
High Tension lines are extended up to the resort sites.
Street
lighting:
The approach roads to the resort sites, tourist facilities
and common areas such as junctions etc will be lit.
Communication:
All modern telecommunication infrastructure are
available in the project area.
Public
amenities: Public
amenities such as public parks, comfort stations, souvenir
kiosks etc will be developed in a phased manner.
Development
of tourist attractions:
Basic infrastructure has been developed at nearby places of
tourist importance.
Mode
of disposal of land and development of resorts
Out
oOut of the 6 resort sites developed by the Corporation, two
resort sites have already been allotted to joint sector
companies with Taj and and Oberoi. Remaining 4 Resort
Sites will be disposed off on long term lease through
competitive bidding.
The
lease scheme will feature the following broad conditions:
-
The
land will be leased for resorts and other tourism
purposes for 30 years, with an option of renewal.
-
The
transfer of land on lease basis will be governed by the
provision of the Transfer of Property Act, 1872.
-
Price
alone will not be the sole consideration, brand equity
will also be given due importance.
-
The
annual lease rent will be a percentage of land value
fixed by the Corporation in an investor friendly manner.
-
The
annual lease rent will be revised, once in 10 years.
-
The
developer will also pay BRDC a fixed percentage of
annual gross turnover.
Advantage
of the scheme
-
The
terms of lease will be friendly and options are
attractive.
-
Lease
rent will be payable at the end of two years from the
date of handing over possession or completion of
project, which ever is earlier.
-
The
initial investment will be less, as the lessee is not
required to make a lumpsum payment.
-
The
cost of transfer will be less as registration fee and
stamp duty payable are less compared to that of a sale.
-
Land
being an asset is not eligible for depreciation under
the Income Tax Law, where as lease rent is eligible for
deduction from taxable profit.
|
