Floating jetty to come up at St Mary’s island

A floating jetty will be constructed at St Mary’s Island at a cost of Rs 2.26 crore, said Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis.

Speaking at tourism development committee meeting on Tuesday, she said that the jetty would help tourists who travelled from Malpe to St Mary’s island.

She said at present the big boats that ferry tourists to St Mary’s island from Malpe were made to board to smaller boats 150 metre away from St Mary’s island.

"The change of boats in the middle of the sea invites the risk. Hence, a floating jetty proposal has been prepared," she said.

The DC directed KRIDL officials to instal CCTV on the strategic locations identified by the police at Malpe beach.

"In addition, shelter and a watch tower should also be constructed," the DC instructed.

The DC said that the petty shops on either side of the road from Trasi to Maravanthe have been cleared.

"The tourism department will construct 20 petty shops and will hand it over to those who lost their shops," she said.

The DC directed the Nirmithi Kendra officials to renovate the tourism department guest house at Trasi in a traditional style.

"A watch tower should be constructed at Trasi beach as well," she said.
The land belonging to tourism department at Trasi-Maravanthe should be fenced and a Yatri Nivasa should be constructed, the DC said.

She said that permission had been granted for two house boats in the district.

There was a discussion for five more house boats.

It was decided at the meeting to lay gardens in Koti Chennaiah Theme Park in Karkala.

It was decided to hold state-level surfing contest on September 29 and 30 at Padukere to promote surfing in the region.

The DC also directed the officials to impart training for the home stay owners, house boat owners, beach tenderer on the promotion of tourism.

ZP CEO Shivananda Kapashi, Tourism department assistant Director Anitha and others were present.