‘Kodagu among six districts identified for heliport’

A heliport will come up in Kodagu, under the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme of the Central government, said Tourism Minister C P Yogeeshwar.

He was speaking during an interaction on tourism development, organised by Kodagu District Hotels, Resorts and Restaurants’ Association, Home Stay Association and Tours and Travels’ Association, at Club Mahindra Resort in Madikeri.

He said that six districts have been identified in the state under the UDAN scheme and Kodagu is one of them.

The minister said that Kodagu district will be part of the projects related to the development of tourism.

Emphasis will be laid upon eco-friendly tourism, he added.

Stating that around 100 caravans are being constructed by the tourism department across the state, at a budget of Rs 30 lakh, he told the resort and homestay owners to utilise the facility.

He further said that there are plans to construct 10 helipads in the state.

An increase in the number of tourists is expected at Kodagu after the completion of Bengaluru-Mysuru four laning work. The tourism department is committed to providing all basic facilities for the tourists. The department will construct restrooms on Hunsur-Sampaje Road, for the benefit of tourists, he said.

Hotels, Resorts and Restaurants Association president Nagendra Prasad said that there is a shortage of staff in the tourism department and urged authorities to appoint a deputy director.

A tourist information centre should be set up at Koppa, on the border of Kodagu, he added.

Home Stay Association president B G Anantashayana said that the menace of illegal homestays has increased in the district. The minister assured him that the necessary action will be taken.

Yogeeshwar also said he will work towards the establishment of Tourists’ Information Centre.

Grant for Pravasi Utsav

Hotels, Resorts and Restaurants Association president Nagendra Prasad said that Tourism Minister C P Yogeeshwar has assured of taking necessary measures for the revival of tourism of Kodagu, which has been ravaged by floods, landslides and also Covid-19 pandemic. The discussion with the minister has instilled hope, he said.

He further said that the minister has assured him of releasing the grants for Pravasi Utsav. Nagendra Prasad quoted the minister as saying that the festival will be conducted three to four times a year, to attract tourists.

“The minister has said he will meet the stakeholders of tourism associations and tourism department officials in Bengaluru. The project which is stagnant will be revived,” he added.

Nagendra Prasad said that the minister has shown interest in the construction of a helipad on a 100-acre land earmarked for the purpose and also reviving the ‘Love your native’ scheme introducing new tourist sites and ‘Nodu Baa Nammura’ scheme.