` 11.87 cr plan to develop Raja Seat awaits govt nod

It will have puzzle garden, artificial caves, flower clock, says DC

The Kodagu district administration has prepared a proposal of Rs 11.87 crore and submitted it to the State government, to beautify and develop Raja Seat, one of the popular tourist destinations in the city. 

If the proposal receives green signal from the government, then Raja Seat will perhaps become one of the attractive gardens in the country. A large number of tourists arrive at Raja Seat to view the panoramic Western Ghat range and an enchanting sun set. But, the garden has been losing its popularity and even failing to attract tourists due to poor maintenance in the recent years. 

The musical fountain in the garden is defunct. As a result, the number of visitors visiting Raja Seat has declined over a period of time. Taking a note of this, the district administration has prepared a proposal to develop the garden. The maintenance of the garden will be handed over to the horticulture department. Speaking to Deccan Herald, Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Anurag Tiwari said that it has been planned to build a watch tower in the garden at a cost of Rs 1.12 crore. 

The proposed plan comprises of the construction of puzzle garden at a cost of Rs one crore, flower clock, garden in Japan style, artificial caves, formation of waterfalls, glasshouse on the lines of the one in Lalbagh in Bangalore and snake and ladder game at a cost of Rs four crore, construction of rope-way from Nehru Park to Rajaseat at a cost of Rs three crore, Bayalu Ranga Mandira at a cost of Rs 1.20 crore and a tunnel aquarium.

A comfortable footpath, ponds, solar lights, garden lights, statues will be laid in the garden, if the government okays the proposal. With tourism being one of the major source of income generation activity in Kodagu after coffee business, measures will be taken to improve and explore tourism potential in the district, the Deputy Commissioner  said.