Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Aug 25: With more and more tourists coming to Malpe Beach, there is a need to lay more emphasis on their safety,said deputy commissioner Dr K Vidya Kumari said.
She was presiding over the Malpe Development Committee meeting held at the Rajatadri Hall of DC office in city on Friday, August 25.
"Malpe Beach is getting crowded with more people arriving on weekends. Parking system is also facing problems, if the Padukere beach is developed and proper arrangements are made, the tourist crowding can be controlled and emphasis should be placed on this," she said.
"Necessary basic facilities like drinking water, toilet facilities, vehicle parking and other facilities should be provided to the tourists at the beach.The health center there should be upgraded and all kinds of medicine and medical equipment should be made available for treatment in case of accidents," Vidya Kumari added.
She asked the authority to install lights on the high mast poles in the Malpe beach area and to prepare a plan to install new high mast poles and beacons on the north side of the beach.
The DC suggested that more number of police personnel should be appointed for the management of Kalmadi area due to high number of tourists visiting Malpe Beach, Seawalk, St Mary's Island and due to fishing activities here.
Tourist boats that take vsistors from Malpe Seawalk and Beach to St Mary's Island should not carry more than the prescribed number of people beyond the capacity. All passengers should make sure to wear life jacket compulsorily. If there is any negligence in this regard, besides canceling the license of that boat, action will be taken to penalize the owner of the boat who violates the conditions.
"From the point of view of the safety and security of the tourists, the bags and luggages of the passengers going to St Mary's Island by boat should be checked compulsorily and the tourist guides assigned at Malpe Beach, St Mary's Island should be given proper training by the department and the lifeguards assigned by the beach manager should be given more training on safety management," DC Vidya Kumari warned.
Police department, City Municipal Council and food safety officers have been asked to inspect and take action on additional stalls operating illegally near the beach, she added.
MLA Yashpal Suvarna said that a master plan related to the beach development works will be prepared and implemented in the empty space on the north side of Malpe Beach for the development of tourism and to facilitate the parking of tourists' vehicles.
Zilla Panchayat chief executive officer Prasanna H, additional district collector Mamatadevi G S, municipal commissioner Rayappa, Tourism Department assistant director Kumar, district level officers of various departments, municipal council members of Malpe Division, representatives of Bhajan boards and others were present in the meeting.