Mangalore may Get Make-over on Singapore's Sentosa Island Model
From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Dec 1: Can the coastal city of Mangalore, which is considered as one of the most hip-hop cities in Karnataka, ever hope to match Singapore or at least a part of that country in terms of tourist attractions?
Well, if Karnataka State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (KSIIDC) chairman N Yogish Bhat, who is the Mangalore MLA, and Coastal Development Authority chairman B Nagaraja Shetty, a former minister, have their way, Mangalore could well be on the way to be developed on the lines of the internationally famous Sentosa Island resorts in Singapore.
Though Singapore lacks natural seaside allure, Sentosa, a small island south of the city-state helps in filling up the void. The entire island has been transformed into a virtual leisure and recreation resort and Sentosa has several five-star resorts, spa, luxury accommodations and golf courses. It also offers underwold tourist attractions and exotic cuisine to cater to foreign tourists.
The two BJP leaders, who addressed a joint news conference in Bangalore on Wednesday December 1, said the state government was seriously considering a proposal to develop Mangalore on the model of Singapore’s Sentosa Island resorts by establishing an aquamarine park, and a golf course and developing a ring road around the region on the public-private-partnership route.
Yogesh Bhat said the marine acquapark may be developed on a 25-acre area at an estimated cost of Rs 250 crore. The 18-hole golf course would be of global standards, which has acquired quite a fashion status among foreign tourists and corporate bigwigs, Nagaraj Shetty said.
Both the BJP leaders said developing Mangalore and transforming it into an attractive tourist destination would help in the development of the region without any environmental pollution and help the local people, who are known for their business acumen and enterprising qualities especially in hotels and hospitality sectors.
They said a 100-km ring road was proposed around Mangalore, including 30 km in the initial phases, and a feasibility study is under preparation.
The study report would be submitted to the State government in March, 2011. The estimated cost of all these infrastructure projects is more than Rs. 1,000 crore, they said adding tourism, residential and commerce complexes are planned to be developed around the ring road.
Once the ring-road was completed and thrown open to the traffic, the people of Kerala and others regions need not come to Mangalore for their onward journey, they said pointing out that tourists visiting the state need not go to Kerala to experience beach tourism.
Yogesh Bhat said that Town Planning scheme, on the lines of one existing in Gujarat, was proposed to be launched in Mangalore where residents would be made partners in development.