New measures to boost tourism at Vaigai Dam

The official at the dam site, who did not wish to be named, said that part of administrative activities like collection of fee, garden maintenance, security and parking fee collection, would be outsourced.

He said a shortage of staff, down from 270 to just 23 now, meant that they were able to collect entry fees from only 40 per cent of the tourists. The entry fee at the dam is Rs 20 for adults and Rs 10 for children.  “As many as 270 persons were working in the dam office, but now only 23 persons are there,” the official said. He said the dam’s illumination system was under repair and has not been functioning for the last several months.

Despite several reminders, no action had been taken to set it right, he said. The comprehensive drinking water scheme, a pet project of the late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, was also working only to 50 per cent of its potential due to non-maintenance of valves, he said. 

The official said there was no sufficient water for supply for Theni’s comprehensive drinking water scheme and supply could be ensured only with proper instructions from the government.