KJ George, minister for tourism visits Padubidri Beach Monday
Noting that 1,000 to 2,000 tourists visit the beach daily and footfall rises significantly on weekends, George said all necessary basic infrastructure would be provided for visitors. On the widening and concreting of the nearly 3-km road connecting NH-66 to the beach and the dredging of the Kamini River along the endpoint road, George said a joint meeting of officials from the ports and fisheries departments would be held soon to decide further action. Udupi: Tourism minister KJ George Monday announced the immediate release of Rs 50 lakh to install insulated cables along the Padubidri Beach road to tackle frequent power disruptions caused by corrosion and snapping of electrical wires due to high salt content in coastal air.
“Issues related to controlling sea erosion and developing tourism infrastructure will be discussed at the upcoming cabinet meeting, after which necessary action will be initiated,” he said. He also stressed the need for adequate parking facilities and instructed officials to identify and acquire suitable govt or private land near the beach for the purpose.
George said development works at Trasi and Maravanthe beaches along NH-66 would be completed within the next three to four months. After inspecting Trasi-Maravanthe beaches, he said work at Trasi Beach, including a parking area, food court, cycle track and open-air theatre, had been underway for the past two years at an estimated cost of Rs 9.9 crore.
George said rising electricity consumption had led to load-shedding in the state.