The Hindu : Karnataka News : Smooth sailing for new tourism projects

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Tuesday, Dec 01, 2009
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Smooth sailing for new tourism projects

Staff Correspondent

Flush with funds, the department is set to float cruise and heli-tourism

Night safari in Bannerghatta National Park is also to take off
Government plans to spend Rs. 500 crore on recreating the glory of the Vijayanagar empire

— PHOTO: M.A. SRIRAM

Being a sport: Tourism Minister G. Janardhan Reddy (right) enjoying the tourist facilities after inaugurating the renovated KSTDC hotel in Srirangapatna on Monday.

SRIRANGAPATNA: Minister for Tourism and Infrastructure G. Janardhan Reddy on Monday said the new tourism projects such as heli-tourism, cruise tourism in Dakshin Kannada, night safari in Bannerghatta National Park and the Rs. 500-crore Vijayanagar Vaibhava at Hampi are set to expand the State’s tourist potential.

Thanks to the increased budget allocation to the Tourism Department, from Rs. 15 crore to Rs. 245 crore after the Bharatiya Janata Party Government came to power, the proposed tourist attractions will become a reality soon, he said.

Speaking after inaugurating the renovated KSTDC-run Hotel Mayura River View, new cottages and water sports for tourists on the banks of the Cauvery here, he said, “When B. Sriramulu was the Tourism Minister, the allocation went up to Rs. 90 crore and has now touched Rs. 245 crore after I took over the Ministry. Sufficient funds will ensure completion of pending projects.”

Mr. Reddy said the stage was set for the launch of heli-tourism. Many agencies had come forward to operate the facility. With this, tourists who can afford to spend money will be able to cover almost all the key tourist destinations in the State within a short period of time.

The Government proposes to spend Rs. 500 crore on recreating the glory of the Vijayanagar empire in Hampi. Emphasis is also being given to promote circuit tourism, he said. Giving the highlights of the new tourism policy, the Minister said a subsidy of Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 35 lakh would be provided to entrepreneurs who build hotels as a step to develop tourism. Besides, 50 per cent subsidy would be given to SC/STs who purchase tourist taxis. Mr. Reddy said infrastructure development projects amounting to Rs. 5,00,000 crore have been proposed in the State. and added that investments would be on the public-private partnership model.

New roads and road repairs amounting to Rs. 30 crore were under way and an additional Rs. 50 crore would be released for improving roads.

Mr. Reddy said the Brindavan Gardens would get a facelift at a cost of Rs. 5 crore. Already, Rs. 1 crore had been released and the remaining would be released in phases. Other projects approved for Mandya district are: Rs 2.5 crore for tourist facilities at Hanumanthanagar; Rs. 77 lakh at Adichunchangiri temple and Rs. 50 lakh at Nimishambha temple.

Srirangapatna MLA A.B. Ramesh Bandisidde Gowda, who presented a memorandum, urged the Minister to make Srirangapatna a “one-stop tourist spot”. Blessed with many tourist destinations, the place needs infrastructure to take tourism to new heights, he appealed. The Minister agreed to ensure allocations of funds for Srirangapatna in the next budget.

The Minister later inaugurated a water sports scheme for KSTDC guests using the KSTDC tour package at Hotel Mayura River View in Srirangapatna.

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