The region which included Shanghumughom and Veli has been one among the prominent tourist attractions in the State over the years. The fact that the condition of roads leading to the destinations remains well-maintained has worked in favour of the destinations.
However, of late, the road leading to the Veli Tourist Village has deteriorated with visitors left to travel on a bumpy road for nearly a kilometer, particularly while passing by the Kochuveli Railway station and the premises of Travancore Titanium Products Ltd., before arriving at the tourist spot. The onset of monsoon appears to have worsened the situation. Coupled with the bad condition of road leading to the Lighthouse Beach in Kovalam, the unenviable situation at Veli threatened to bring disrepute upon the leading tourist destinations of the State. The situation, if left neglected, may not auger well for the tourism industry in the long run.
Ever since a renovated multiplex opened near the overbridge junction, traffic along the narrow road from Ayurveda College has multiplied during the weekends.
The stretch has already been a nightmare for motorists, as vehicles lining up to go inside the parking lot of a busy shopping centre here have been causing traffic snarls for some time.
With the opening of the multiplex, cars can be seen lining up almost till the Ayruveda College junction, especially during the big releases. The opening of a new parking lot adjacent to the theatre has improved the situation a bit, but one can still see people scrambling to somehow park their cars to reach the theatre on time.
