Five beaches in DK get 13.72 crores for beach development - Dist.Admin

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Aug 1, 2014:  A meeting of the District Tourism Development Committee to discuss on the project plan, with DK  Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim, in the chair said that  the Central government sanctioned Rs 50 crore for developing coastal tourism circuit in the State, five beaches in Dakshina Kannada district have been chosen for development at a cost of Rs 13.72 crore. The beaches that have been selected under the project are Surathkal, Someshwar, Ullal, Talapady and Sulthan Batteri.

 

 

 

 

The tourism potential of the beaches will be assessed on cleanliness, beautification, maintenance and land space of the five beaches ear marked. Under the beach tourism package, various facilities like pedestrian seating, landscape walkway, lighting, life guards watch tower, garbage bins, parking and public convenience facilities, improving approach roads and other works will be taken up.

The DC stated, “In a meeting chaired by State tourism minister recently, the district administration has been directed to identify government land availability near all five beaches for the purpose of developing them. A beach cleaning drive will be initiated for maintaining cleanliness on the sea shore. The project will also comprise of installing sign boards along the road that connects the highway and the beach. Appointment of security guards, organising beach festivals, surfing events, implementing recommendations of Swaminathan Committee Report on Tourism too will be the part of promoting beach development”.

Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Tulasi Maddineni suggested to develop Abbakka fort in Someshwar and ensure that the tourists who come to Someshwar not only visit the beach, but also pay a visit to the temple and the fort. She also insisted on beautification of a rock formation near the temple which can be an added attraction.  The Deputy Commissioner said that the government has appointed a tourism consultant to the district who will a pay visit shortly.

Gen picture : Fifty crore for 23 beaches :   The Central government has sanctioned Rs 50 crore for developing 23 beaches in the 3 coastal districts namely, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada. Accordingly, five beaches in DK, six beaches in Udupi and 12 beaches in Uttara Kannada district will be developed. Of Rs 13,72 crore sanctioned to Dakshina Kannada, Rs 3.33 crore has been reserved for developing Someshwar beach, Rs 1.89 crore for Ullal beach, Rs 2.36 crore for Surathkal, Rs 3.52 crore for Talapady and Rs 2.63 crore has been reserved for Sultan Batteri beach.  Reference to the Government of India order dated June 11, 2014, the State government can not retain amount  released for the said purpose by the Central government, underutiliSed for more than six months. In that case, the amount should be surrendered to the Centre with interest rate after the deadline.