Tourism in Udupi to get boost under Swadeshi Darshan

The district is expected to have a tourism boom under the Central government-sponsored scheme ‘Swadeshi Darshan’, which has enabled crores of rupees’ investment to beautify the tourist destinations in the district.

The priority currently being the Maravanthe and Trasi beaches and the Souparnika river basin. The district Tourism Department is setting goals to ensure maximum comfort laced with wholesome entertainment to visitors.

Tourism Department district assistant director Anitha B told DH that Swadeshi Darshan is a boon and the investment under the programme would be huge.

“It will definitely offer totally new landscape dimensions for tourism in the district. Funds up to Rs 1.59 crore are spent on providing water sports equipment, beach cleaning machines and CCTV cameras at Maravanthe beach. The project would be executed by March,” she explained.

“The Trasi and Maravanthe beaches would be developed simultaneously. The most important feature of the project in the area would be an attractive marine drive, which would offer panoramic mesmerising views on both the sides,” the officer said.

Elaborating over the marine drive, which would be beautifully laid alongside the national highway, the officer said the awesome concourse would ensure the visitors for a long ride immersing in Nature’s bounty which is coupled with the echo of the sound of the waves.

This would truly be wonderful and first of its kind in the district. The seating arrangements would be made available with the space accompanying the walking tracks, Anitha said.

“The area comprised many petty shops but all the shop vendors have been asked to vacate. All these vendors will be rehabilitated in the same area after the complete execution of the project. The amount released will also be used for the plans to construct tiny lucrative shops, which would be given to the shop vendors who were into the business on the beach. The project is already handed over to the KRIDL to execute. The work will be taken up shortly. Besides, a children’s park will come up on the beach,” said the officer.

“The project is of high significance for stimulating district tourism potential in the district. Another lucrative aspect of the proposed project is the development and beautifying the soothing ambience of Souparnika river which flows beside the national highway, with the sea on the other side of the road. The untouched beauty will be promoted with the necessary infrastructure initiated at a cost of Rs 1.36 crore. The Department owns 1.10 acre land which connects the river to the rural place of Padukone. Here, water sports facilities will be introduced. The garden and high mast area will be developed. The visitors would have shelter sheds to take rest,” she added.

Necessary precautions will be taken to ensure safety of tourists. Boards and hoardings to create awareness on safety measures will be put up in the area.

Lifeguards will be deployed into the service. Four watchtowers would be set up in the area. By December or January 2019, the coastal marine works introduced in the area would be completed, said the officer.