Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Mar 4: Deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar announced a dedicated meeting with all legislators from the coastal region to gather insights and promote tourism, focusing on health, education, religious, and commercial sectors.
Speaking during the question hour in the legislative assembly on Tuesday, Shivakumar emphasized the untapped potential of the coastal region for various forms of tourism. He said, "Myself and the tourism minister will hold a separate meeting with the MLAs from the coastal region to collect opinions and develop strategies to boost tourism."

BJP MLA Gururaj Shetty Gantihole highlighted the need to give special attention to the coastal region under the state tourism policy. Responding to this, the tourism minister assured that the government would take necessary steps. Additionally, BJP MLA Harish Poonja suggested attracting religious tourists to other tourist spots in the region.

Shivakumar pointed out that several young leaders have been elected as MLAs from the coastal areas. He acknowledged the vast opportunities in health, religious, and commercial tourism in the region. "Our tourism minister H K Patil has big plans, and we have had extensive discussions on this. We need to convene a meeting with the MLAs from the region to deliberate further," he said.

He expressed concern that after 7-8 pm, the coastal region becomes lifeless, with no activities apart from religious events like bhajans and open-air plays. He urged the local MLAs to discuss and present proposals to the government to bring vibrancy to the region.

Shivakumar also highlighted a decline in school and college admissions in recent years. "Operators of medical and engineering colleges have approached us with concerns about dwindling enrollment," he added.

When BJP MLA Aravind Bellad asked for suggestions on what activities should be promoted after 8 pm, Shivakumar explained, "After 7-8 pm, Mangaluru almost shuts down. With people staying indoors, there is no economic activity. During S M Krishna’s tenure, there were proposals to establish IT and BT sectors in the coastal region, but at the time, there was not a single complex there. Now, a few are emerging. Despite the region having the highest number of engineering and medical colleges, local talent is migrating to Bengaluru, Mumbai, and abroad."

He stressed that a lack of entertainment options drives young people away from the area. "If a city does not offer avenues for entertainment, it will not attract youth. Therefore, it is crucial for the MLAs of the region to discuss and come up with viable suggestions. Myself and the tourism minister will hold separate meetings with all the district MLAs to address this issue," Shivakumar said.