Govt land near ports will be developed: Udupi DC

The government land in and around the ports will be developed by ensuring basic infrastructure facilities to promote tourism in the district, Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis said.

Speaking at a meeting here, on Tuesday, Priyanka directed the officials to identify such areas.

The state government has appointed the coordinators to work in this direction.

However, owing to the non availability of land, the district administration was not able to offer facilities to the tourists. Most of the land that was available was under the Port and Fisheries department.

The identified land will be given on lease for the promotion of tourism, she added.

The deputy commissioner, however, directed the officials not to directly hand over the land coming under Port and Fisheries department to the Tourism department. “A list of the available land should be prepared.”

She added that the breakwater areas at Kodi and Gangolli in Kundapur taluk will be developed and a proposal to build sea walkway and other facilities in the area had been sent to the government.

Later, speaking at the meeting of Malpe Beach Development committee, the deputy commissioner said that the boating facilities during weekends and holidays to St Mary’s Island should begin from 7 am as against the usual timing of 9 am.

The meeting also decided to purchase a jet ski and an ambulance for the safety of the visitors.

Further, Priyanka said that there was a proposal to widen the road from the Karavali bypass to the entrance of the Malpe port.