Karnataka to double tourism allocation

Bangalore, Mar 25 (UNI) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa today said the government is prepared to double the allocation of Rs.50 crore for tourism development if the department came up with infrastructure proposals.

Inaugurating a programme on challenges facing the tourism sector in the state he said though the state had tremendous tourism potential, it had failed to exploit the opportunities in the sector so far.

The Karnataka Development Front was committed to promoting tourism in a big way with private participation, he added. He said President A P J Abdul Kalam had in his vision for Karnataka indicated tourism as a key sector for the prosperity of the State.

Mr Yediyurappa said the government had cleared industrial projects worth Rs 32,000 crore. The government was eager to develop infrastructure in cities other than Bangalore and provide them with airports and other connectivity facilities.

State Tourism Minister B Sriramulu said his Ministry had taken up various projects, including providing connectivity to major tourist destinations by developing 700 km of roads, after the coalition Government assumed power, to put the state on the world tourism map.

He said the Ministry proposed to bring out a three-month common bus pass for people to visit all tourist centres in the State.

The main objective of today's programme was to deliberate on how to enhance public-private partnership between the Department of Tourism and trade members for developing tourism.

Tourism Principal Secretary L Shantakumari said the Government had proposed some mega projects like setting up an International Convention Centre near the Devanahalli International Airport, airport at the world heritage centre of Hampi and promoting mine tourism at Kolar Gold Fields.

She said the Government had acquired 1,000 acres of land at the abandoned Gold Mines at KGF for promotion of mine tourism.

UNI