After three years, work on Neithal Park in Nagore yet to be taken up

Even three years after the announcement of setting up the Neithal Park near the Nagore sea shore, work has not picked up as project clearance issues with various government departments are pending

Even three years after the announcement of setting up the Neithal Park near the Nagore sea shore, work has not picked up as project clearance issues with various government departments are pending.

On December 17, 2021, the State government announced the creation of Neithal Park in Nagapattinam district to enhance tourism in the famed Nagore Dargah area.

As per the announcement, spread over 7.3 acres, the park was supposed to showcase various aspects of Neithal, the lifestyle of fisherfolk, and raise plants that grow in the coastal areas. Though the local people welcomed the project, they are upset that work had not commenced till now.

Former Nagapattinam MLA MGK Nizamudeen rued about the lack of tourist infrastructure and special projects for several lakhs of people visiting Nagore dargah from different parts of the world.

“Irrespective of race, religion, and caste, people come to pray to the sufi saint Shahul Hameed in the dargah. Almost all those who visit the dargah would go to the nearby Nagore beach, which is a more accessible than the Velankanni church beach. Sadly, there is no tourist infrastructure,” he said.

The Neithal Park, one of its kind, would fill that void and enhance tourism near the beach, the government said at the time of announcement. According to the local people, it remained just an announcement.

Unlike other districts, Nagapattinam has fewer areas under the Horticulture Department. This project was meant to encourage people to explore horticulture along the shore but nothing had happened, said Mr. Nizam.