K'taka Govt to prepare master plan for tourism devt in Mysore

Mysore, Jan 4 (UNI) The Karnataka Tourism Department has geared up to prepare a master plan for the overall development of tourism in and around the city under the Central Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).

Addressing media persons here, State Tourism Commissioner G Kumar Nayak said a recent meeting of officials in the city studied the overall plan for tourism development. A consultant agency had been entrusted with the work of preparing the necessary documents in this connection and the report was expected to be ready in a fortnight and the same would be submitted to the Union Urban Development Ministry for approval. About Rs 50 crore to Rs 70 crore was expected to be sanctioned for the purpose.

He said important tourist places would first be identifed for preserving its landscape and maintaining its heritage status.

Mr Kumar said that to take up construction and related works, a development project report would be prepared in a month's time to execute the works after getting approval from the Ministry concerned.

Stating that development works would be taken up in Chamundi Hills, Somanathapura, Srirangapatna and Brindavan Garden in Krishnaraja Sagar reservoir, he said the ropeway to Chamundi Hills was also included in the plan, besides beautification of various spots.

He said the department had taken up repair works on three roads -- Kudachadri in Malanadu, Hampi and Shamsha (Shivanasamudra) -- at a cost of Rs 24 crore and tenders have been invited for the project.

Rs four crore had been earmarked for district level tourism development for the first time and the Deputy Commissioners concerned would chalk out programmes in their respective districts.

Besides, tourism clubs at the city level involving pre-university colleges have been formed, he added.

UNI