From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Jul 15: In an effort to boost the tourism potential in the irrigation project sites across Karnataka, the State Water Resources and the Tourism ministries have decided to join hands to explore the rich tourism opportunities.
Addressing a joint meeting of the senior level officers of the department of Tourism and the Water resources, in which Tourism and IT and BT Minister of State Priyank Kharge was also present in Bengaluru on Friday, Water Resources Minister M B Patil said the vast tourism potential in and around the irrigation projects across the State must be tapped.
He said both the Departments have initiated several measures to attract tourists both from the domestic and overseas.
M B Patil said "The tourist potential of the Alamatti-Kudalasangama-Badami, Aihole-Pattadakal and Hampi circuit" was yet to be fully harnessed.
Maintaining that lack of infrastructure facilities, including that of the presence of sufficient numbers of budget as well as three-star hotels, in and around the region and food-courts, are the main constraints, which are coming in the way of tapping the tourism potential, the minister said "whatever logistics gaps exist to boost the tourism potential in the region can be met effectively addressed by joining hands from both the Departments."
"The Water Resources Department is ready to extend all co-operation with the Tourism Department if it comes forward with the concrete proposals to operate cruise as well as Ferry Boats in the backwaters of the Alamatti reservoir, connecting Kudalasangama and Chikkasangama," he said.
"The region also have rich potential potential to establish Food Courts, Restaurants, Budget Hotels and Dormitories, Water Adventure sports activities along with Theme parks, Museums and Cultural and Heritage Centers," the minister said.
Referring to the presence of the large number of Historical monuments in the Historic town of Vijayapura, the minister have appealed the Tourism minister PriyankaKharge to enhance the Tourists amenities in and around the World famous GolGumbaz, Ibrahim Roza and other tourist attract places in Vijayapura district.
"The restoration and renovation of the Underground Water system, which are still exists in the historic city of Vijayapura has to be taken up with the supervision of the Archaeological departments of both the state and the Union Government" he said.
"According to expert opinion, such water systems are only found in the ancient towns of Iran" the minister said.
Extending to offer all co-operation from his department to harness the Rich tourism potential in the irrigation project sites as well as the Historical monuments in the Vijayapura district, Tourism minister PriyankaKharge instructed the officials to come out with a detailed project reports to develop Infrastructure facilities.
Rakesh Singh, Principal Secretary, Water Resources Department, Manjula, Director Tourism Department, Anjum Parvez, Managing Director, KBJNL and other senior officials were also present on the occasion.