Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Dec 11: State tourism minister Sa Ra Mahesh said that the tourism department has already set aside Rs 2.68 crore for the development of Blue Flag Beach at Padubidri. Works on it will begin soon, he stated.

Mahesh, who had arrived at Padubidri end point to take part in personal programme on Monday evening, visited the spot earmarked for the development of Blue Flag Beach. He held discussions with the deputy commissioner and other officials.

"We will provide good, wide road to the beach, and improve facilities like minor bridge etc," he said. He also instructed Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Ltd (KRIDL) officials to see that quality is maintained when executing the works. He said that he will be visiting coastal districts again on January 24 and 25 and during that visit, he would be announcing grant from his department for road development. 

He expressed need for star hotels in the coast to attract tourists from the country and abroad. He said that a sum of ten to fifteen crore would be set aside for the purpose and entrepreneurs from the district would be contacted and discussions about starting hotel business here would be discussed.

Deputy commissioner, Priyanka Mary Francis, tourism department district deputy director, Anit Bhaskar, KRIDL's Krishna Hebsur and several others were present.