Bureaucratic knots, heritage hurdles stall Karnataka's Rs 100 crore tourism push
Earlier this week, Union tourism minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat told the Lok Sabha that projects for Udupi and Bidar districts had been approved under the Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD), a component of Swadesh Darshan. However, he added, "No project at these destinations has been sanctioned, and the govt of Karnataka has been advised to obtain necessary clearances." The minister was responding to a query from Udupi-Chikmagalur MP Kota Shrinivas Poojary.
While the Centre has given its nod in principle, the projects await final approvals due to objections raised by other central departments. Tourism director KV Rajendra told TOI that although detailed proposals have been submitted, regulatory hurdles remain.
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"The state govt prepared a plan for a 12km cycle lane along the entire Udupi coast and an experience centre and other tourism-boosting structures in the middle of Bidar fort," said Rajendra.
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"But we have run into queries from the ministry of environment, forests and climate change (MoEF) over coastal regulation zone (CRZ) and National Monument Authority (NMA) under the Archaeological Survey of India for Udupi and Bidar projects," he said.
"While MoEF has sought a map of 1:4000 to be prepared for CRZ clearances, the NMA considers the location as too sensitive for fresh structures."
The state has now roped in National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management to prepare the CRZ map for the Udupi project.
"We are in talks with both central agencies and are trying to convince them," Rajendra said. "For the Bidar fort development project, the govt is trying to persuade the Centre to consider its proposal."
Also, two flagship tourism initiatives proposed in Mysuru under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 are entangled in political limbo. Department sources said a Rs 2.7 crore plan to create a 'tonga ride heritage experience zone' and an 'ecological experience zone' are still awaiting the chief minister's approval.
"Since it is the CM's home district, we are waiting for him to lay the foundation stone for the two projects," an official said.
The heritage tonga ride aims to recreate royal-era charm by setting up five carriage stations that will ferry tourists around Mysuru Palace. The ecological experience is designed to complement the Mysuru zoo with themed installations and green trails.
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