K'taka to promote religious tourism

Subramanya (Karnataka), Aug 4: The Karnataka Government will give priority in the next five years to promote religious tourism in the state, Chief Minister B S Yaddyurappa said.

Addressing newsmen after releasing Rs 180 crore Master Plan for overall development of Sri Kshetra Kukke Subramanya here last night, he said that package tours to famous temples in the undivided Daxina Kannada district which include Kollur, Udupi, Kateel, Dharmastala and Kukke Subramanya temples would be introduced soon.

He opined that such package tours would not only facilitate the devotees who wished to visit such religious places but also help in promotion of tourism in the state.

Sri Vidyaprasanna Thirtha Swamiji of Subramanya Mutt urged the government to take initiative to commence day train between Mangalore and Bangalore to facilitate the traveling between the two cities frequently. He also appealed that the steps should also taken to transport iron ore through wagons so that not only the heavy traffic on the national highway would be reduced but also help in preventing further damage to roads.

UNI