From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Oct 8: Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa has asked the officials to identify tourism development centres and submit a comprehensive report for their development.
He was speaking during the review meeting of the State’s Tourism Department held at his home office, Krishna, in Bengaluru on Thursday.
The Comprehensive report on the development of tourism centres in the State should also come out with problems and solutions so as to move forward, he said.
Implementation of the plans for tourism development in the State must get priority if Karnataka should progress and prosper in tourism as it provided immense scope for employment generation without displacement of the people, Yediyurappa said.
Tourism, Kannada and Culture Minister C T Ravi, who explained the activities of the Tourism Department, pointed out that the Department was hampered due to absence of competent officers and urged the Chief Minister to ensure that efficient and competent officers must be appointed in the districts with vast potential for tourism development. Even Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS) officers could be given additional charge of such districts to ensure that the Departmental activities received the necessary directions, he suggested.
The Chief Minister emphasized the need for giving encouragement and support to tourism development should be objective of the Department along with identification of tourism hotspots, their maintenance and protection as the priority.
Development of the world-famous jog falls is being implemented through the Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd (KPCL) at a cost of Rs 120 crore. The cost of the project will be finalized by the end of the month, said Additional Chief Secretary P Ravi Kumar.
Tourism Minister C T Ravi suggested that the responsibility for implementing the projects for the comprehensive development of Kemmannugundi and Nandi Hills to the Department.
With large number of tourists visiting the Badami tourism hotspot, the Chief Minister suggested that plans for providing world class facilities at the spot must be prepared. The meeting also suggested that the adjacent land belonging to the APMC could be handed over to the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) for providing parking facilities and other amenities.
The meeting also discussed the development of Srirangapatna and Mysuru Haath.
Chief Secretary T M Vijaya Bhaskar, Tourism Department Secretary T K Anil Kumar, KSTDC Chairperson Shruti and other Department officials were present at the meeting.