JOIN USFive beaches in DK districtto be developed
Dakshina Kannada will wear a new look and will have improved facilities for tourists visiting coastal districts. Following the Central government sanctioning funds for the infrastructure development of beaches in Karnataka and promote beach tourism, five of the 11 beaches identified for the purpose, will be developed in the first phase.
The work on beach development which is entrusted to Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL) is likely to start by November 15 and the beaches will appear better by next March, if everything goes according to the plan.
In a review meeting of beach tourism development at the deputy commissioner’s office on Tuesday, KRIDL Superintendent Engineer T S Kaladagi said that of Rs 50 crore sanctioned to the State for developing beaches, five beaches in DK will be improved at a cost of Rs 13.72 crore.
The beaches to be developed under the project are: Someshwar, Ullal, Surathkal, Talapady and Sultan Battery. The work will be taken up in the available government land near the beach in tandem with CRZ regulations.
Under the project, various facilities will be provided in the beach including pedestrian seating, landscape walkway, High Mast lighting, life guards watch tower, waste management, parking facilities, provision of signages, food kiosks, rescue boats etc.
Apart from these facilities, approach roads to the beachs too will be developed for the public convenience, said Snehroz Deore representing Darashaw consultancy which has designed the project plan.
Zilla Panchayat CEO Tulasi Maddineni, who is also the member of District Beach Tourism Development Committee pointed at several drawbacks in the plan which were addressed in a report submitted by the committee in the past.
She said that parking space allotted in the plan is insufficient considering the large number of tourists who visit these beaches. “The basic idea was to develop Ullal beach as a beach providing family entertainment, Surathkal for tourists, Talapady for nature lovers and Sultan Batteri for local population. An open amphitheatre could be developed in Someshwar, particularly in the depression area,” she said.
She also suggested to purchase beach cleaning machines which is more scientific way of maintaining cleanliness, than installing dustbins.
Beach Project CEO Yathish Baikampady insisted on putting in place a rescue boat and a jet ski in every beach for rescuing drowning tourists.
Chairing the meeting, Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim set a six months time frame for completing the work. He also directed KRIDL officials to give a contract to an agency to maintain the beaches after the completion of the work.