BANGALORE: To boost the State's tourism potential, the Union Tourism Ministry has sanctioned Rs. 15 crores to develop eight beaches and Jog Falls and beautify monuments and other places of interest in Mysore.

A sum of Rs. 6.98 crores has been sanctioned to provide facilities for tourists at Mangalore, Ullal, Udupi, Kollur, Honnavar, Murdeshwar, Kundapur and Gokarna beaches. Each beach will be developed at a cost of Rs. 83.50 lakhs under the Circuit Development Programme. A sum of Rs. 209.4 lakhs had been released under the first phase. The funds will be utilised for construction of dressing cubicles, pathways, roads, lighting and cement benches on the beach, sources told The Hindu .

To bring back lost glory to the world famous Jog Falls in Shimoga district, which has seen a decline in the number of tourists in recent years, the Union Tourism Ministry has sanctioned Rs. 4.62 crores. The Jog Development Authority will execute the project and complete it within 18 months.

The authority will utilise funds for construction of steps to the foot of the falls (Rs. 1.3 crores), construction of a platform for a restaurant at the falls (Rs. 65.25 lakhs), improvement of internal roads (Rs. 28.23 lakhs), construction of pergola in the Jog Falls area (Rs. 11 lakhs), tourist shelter (Rs. 9.2 lakhs), development of amusement park and illumination (Rs. 98. 28 lakhs), renovation of a swimming pool (Rs. 92.75 lakhs), construction of a restaurant pergola (Rs. 29.70 lakh), and improvement of vehicle parking area (Rs. 43. 15 lakhs).

The Ministry has asked the State Government to furnish quarterly statements of work and expenditureThe State Government has been asked to execute the project at Jog Falls without delay. Any cost escalation on account of delay has to be met by it. The State Government should not keep the amount released unutilised for more than six months.

The Indian Tourism Development Corporation will take up beautification of monuments, parks and lakes in Mysore under the Destination Development Programme. Of the Rs. 332.71 lakhs sanctioned, Rs. 266.17 lakhs has been released in the first phase.

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