The project will be incorporated under the Tsunami project and steps will be taken to transform Bekal Fort into an international tourist centre within the next three years. The tourism sector had earned income to the tune of Rs 9,000 crore last year, informed Kerala Minister for Tourism Kodiyeri Balakrishnan.

Speaking after inaugurating the State-level Utsav organised to encourage traditional art forms of Kerala at Bekal, he said the Tourism Department has initiated the programme to preserve the traditional art forms of Kerala and to improve the standard of living of traditional artistes.

The mission of the programme is to promote cultural tourism, wherein over 2,000 artistes will participate in the Utsav, he added. MLA K V Kunhiraman presided over the programme. MLA Pallipuram Balan, Zilla Panchayat President M V Balakrishnan, Balan, District Collector N A Krishnankutty, Janapada Academy Secretary Dr A K Nambiar, BRDC Managing Director Shaji Madhavan, Pallikkere Panchayat President A Balakrishnan, Tourism Department Secretary Dr V Venu and director Sanjay were present.