Govt preparing blue print of heritage cities: Minister

Urban Development Minister Vinay Kumar Sorake said, Rs ten crore has been released for coastal development projects.

Speaking after inaugurating the World Tourism Day celebrations here on Sunday, the minister said that the wisdom lies in chalking out plans that would ensure no harm to the natural bounty and simultaneously utilize plenty of opportunities available to exploit the tourism potential.

“Karnataka government is concentrating on Kerala model, where the tourism is promoted right from the grass root level. Even the taxi drivers are trained to handle visitors. The promotion of tourism also improves the area and the infrastructural facilities. Most of the districts in the State have tourism avenues and income generated by tourism will help develop these areas.”

 The minister added that the government is preparing the blue prints of heritage cities whereby cities like Vijayapura, Udupi, Hosapete will get a face-lift.

Stating that Rs 10 crore has been released for coastal development projects, the minister said a “Tourism corridor connecting Shirva to Malpe will be built. The roads will be upgraded and other promotional activities will be taken up. The proposal is being  designed. He said the employment opportunities will be enhanced and the pilgrimage centers in the district will be developed under the public-private partnership.

He said Rs 65 crore worth projects including drinking water facilities and underground drainage system is taken up at Kollur and measures are taken to improve the beaches.

The government intends to construct a tourism circuit route covering  areas like Otthinenne, Jomlutheertha, Karkala, thousand pillar Basadi in Moodbidri, among others.

The beaches in the region are beautiful with the crystal clear sand, which is yet another unique feature to promote tourism, he said.

The tourism initiatives should be taken in accordance with the ample opportunities available and the conservation of rich natural resources. Active vision is the need of the hour. The government is looking forward to invite private partnership in major sectors of tourism. Public-private partnership will help promote tourism on a larger scale, he added.

The ace swimmer Gopal Kharvi was felicitated on the occasion and prizes were distributed for the winners of the photography competition.