The Vellar tourist village was planned on the lines of Dilli Haat in New Delhi. Its success as a prime tourist hub was assured because of its close proximity to the international beach resort in Kovalam. However, this being god's own country, nothing goes the way man proposes. The Vellar Tourist Village has been open now for around eighteen months and it is yet to get any water or electricity connection. The 15 acre compound that was to become a thriving centre of art, food and commerce, now lies at the disposal of social miscreants and dogs.

Lopez is one of the three security guards appointed at the tourist village. He has been witnessing the gradual degradation of the village since its inception one and a half years ago.

“This place actually used to attract big crowds at the beginning. The food fests and the cultural fests that were held here used to be big hits. But, for some reason, this place was never given any electricity connection. When the events were held, the required power was met by running diesel generators. So, even with the fest becoming a hit, attracting huge crowds, the organisers were operating at a loss,” says Lopez, standing guard to the 15 acre, deserted property.

The Vellar tourism village was built at a cost of Rs.7 crores. The building, the walkways, the lamp posts, and the lamps- everything has been set up at the village, except for the electricity connection.

“It is during the night that the problems get worse. By nightfall, various types of insects and other creatures like snakes come out. We are not able to see a thing because all we have are kerosene lamps. Then there are the dogs, whose numbers have increased greatly since they grow and breed unchecked.”

Lopez has no choice but to stay vigilant all through the night, more to protect himself than the dilapidated and deserted tourism village.

“The vastness of the place, the cover of darkness and the facilities they are provided with, this being a tourist village, have made the place a favourite haunt for local drunkards. They arrive in groups and pay no heed to my warnings of this being a government property. Worse comes when the effect of the alcohol sets in. There is no telling what someone under the influence of alcohol would do. I won't even be able to see who or what hit me in the dark.”

The water requirements of the village were to be partially met through rain harvesting. The pond, which was walled and shaped to blend into the tourist village, with a capacity of 5 lakh litres, was to be the source.