Karnataka will give priorty to tourism sector

Udupi: Tourism Minister G. Janardhan Reddy has said the State Government will give priority to tourism development in the coastal districts. He was speaking after laying the foundation stone of the Anna Brahma dining hall in Sri Krishna Math/temple, here on Monday.

Mr. Reddy said that an airport would be constructed in Udupi under public-private partnership model.

Under the coastal corridor project, a six-lane road would be constructed from Karwar in Uttara Kannada district to Talpady in Dakshina Kannada district. Importance would be given to helicopter tourism in the coastal districts. As many as 10 helicopters would be purchased for this purpose and helipads would be constructed at vital locations, he added.

Mr. Reddy said that the Government wanted to promote the forests, beaches and pilgrim centres in the coastal districts as major tourism spots in the State. An amount of Rs. 55 lakh would be spent on the construction of a water fountain, a children’s garden and a connecting road at Kaup in Udupi district. Similarly, the Government would develop Malpe beach and St. Mary’s Island, he said.

The Government would give a grant of Rs. 1 crore for the construction of the Anna Brahma dining hall, while he would personally donate Rs. 25 lakh for it, Mr. Reddy said.

President of Manipal University T. Ramdas Pai said that he would donate Rs. 15 lakh for the construction of the hall.

K. Raghupati Bhat and Lalaji Mendon, MLAs; Dinakar Shetty, president of Udupi City Municipal Council; B. Sudhakar Shetty, Chairman of Udupi Urban Development Authority; Sugunendra Tirtha Swamiji of Paryaya Puttige Math; Raghumanya Tirtha Swamiji of Bheemanakatte Math and others, were present.