Mangaluru: Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwara said the Cabinet has approved the Coastal-Malnad Karnataka Tourism Policy 2026, aimed at promoting tourism and boosting economic development in the coastal and Malnad re…

Mangaluru: Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwara said the Cabinet has approved the Coastal-Malnad Karnataka Tourism Policy 2026, aimed at promoting tourism and boosting economic development in the coastal and Malnad regions of the state.The regions have significant potential for tourism development. At present, around 40-45% of tourists visiting Karnataka travel to the coastal and Malnad areas. The region is estimated to generate around $300 million (approximately Rs 2,876.44 crore) in foreign exchange earnings.The new policy seeks to develop tourism in a systematic manner by creating the necessary infrastructure, improving connectivity and generating employment opportunities for local communities. The policy includes provisions for identifying priority tourism projects and tourism circuits, establishing an institutional framework and integrating a comprehensive coastal tourism plan into the Karnataka Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP).The priority tourism circuits identified under the policy are the Blue-Green Circuit, covering the coast to the Western Ghats; Coastal Pilgrimage and Heritage Circuit; Beach and Surf Circuit; Cruise and Backwater Circuit; Coastal and Inland Cuisine Circuit; Coffee and Plantation Circuit; Western Ghats Ecology and Adventure Circuit; Monsoon Circuit; and Ancient Heritage Circuit, he said.The policy will focus on developing tourist infrastructure and connectivity networks, managing land within the framework of coastal and environmental regulations, facilitating investment and ease of doing business, promoting tourism, and providing training and employment opportunities to local residents.A State Tourism Board headed by the Chief Minister will be established to oversee tourism development. Tourism Investment Facilitation Centres and a single-window clearance system will also be introduced to assist investors. The government will accord industry status to tourism and provide incentives such as property tax exemptions in designated tourism investment promotion areas, along with other measures to encourage investment. The policy will be implemented at an estimated cost of Rs 500 crore.The Cabinet has decided to develop 12 islands in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts under the PPP model. The islands in the Gurupura River in Dakshina Kannada will be developed at a cost of Rs 128 crore. Seven islands in Karwar, Ankola and Bhatkal taluks will be developed at a cost of Rs 307 crore, while three islands, Ayaba, Dariya Bahaddurgada and Malpe, will be developed at a cost of Rs 279.03 crore.Malnad railway network set for major expansionThe 1.5-acre land surrounding the lighthouse at Hoige Bazar in Mangaluru will be developed on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) basis at a cost of Rs 60.34 crore.The Cabinet has approved the development of tourism projects under the PPP-DBFOT mode at four locations in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Chikkamagaluru districts. A tourism project will be developed on 7.04 acres at Trasi-Maravanthe beach at a cost of Rs 48 crore. A Parisara Viharadhama will be developed on three acres at Ravoor in Chikkamagaluru at a cost of Rs 64 crore, said the minister.The Karnataka Cabinet has also approved the revision of the existing Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) 2019 in accordance with the provisions of the CRZ Notification 2019, said the DCM.Karwar airportThe Cabinet has accorded revised administrative approval to increase the cost of the Karwar Airport development project from Rs 98.24 crore to Rs 250.05 crore. The project is expected to boost tourism and commercial activities in the region.Under the revised plan, the existing 2,000-metre runway will be extended to 3,250 metres to facilitate the operation of A320 aircraft. The extension will be taken up after consultation with the Indian Navy.Water MetroThe Karnataka Cabinet has given in-principle approval to examine the technical and financial feasibility of implementing the Mangaluru Water Metro project on the Gurupura and Nethravathi rivers under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model and take further necessary steps.The Cabinet has also authorised the Karnataka Water Transport Board to take all necessary measures to take the project forward.It also approved working out modalities for starting a coastal ferry service covering 12 locations from Mangaluru to Maravanthe, Murudeshwara, Gokarna and Karwar, he added.

Source: Deccan Herald