Udupi Minister Announces Ambitious Coastal Tourism Development Plan
In a significant announcement during Republic Day celebrations, Karnataka's district minister Laxmi Hebbalkar revealed a comprehensive strategy to revitalize tourism across the entire coastal belt, including the state's numerous islands. Speaking at St Mary's Island on Monday, Hebbalkar emphasized that this fresh perspective on coastal development represents a transformative opportunity for the region.
Addressing Years of Neglect in Island Tourism
The minister candidly acknowledged that all 116 islands in Karnataka, including the picturesque St Mary's Island, have suffered from prolonged neglect despite their extraordinary natural resources. "Despite having such remarkable natural assets, the state failed to fully capitalize on them from a tourism standpoint," Hebbalkar stated during her address after hoisting the national flag at the Coastal Security Police event.
She described the current situation as a missed opportunity, noting that the islands' potential has remained largely untapped for years. The minister's remarks highlighted a critical gap in Karnataka's tourism infrastructure that the new initiative aims to address comprehensively.
Concrete Steps Toward Coastal Tourism Revival
Hebbalkar announced that after years of inaction, the state government has now taken concrete measures to promote tourism throughout the coastal region. "This initiative will not only benefit the coastal areas but will also open new avenues for the future development of both the state and the country," she explained, underscoring the broader economic implications of the project.
The minister called for widespread cooperation, emphasizing that the success of this ambitious tourism development plan requires collective effort from all stakeholders. Her vision extends beyond mere infrastructure improvements to creating sustainable tourism ecosystems that can generate employment and boost local economies.
A Historic Moment at St Mary's Island
Describing the Republic Day event as a rare and special occasion, Hebbalkar expressed her privilege in hoisting the national flag and addressing the gathering at St Mary's Island. She shared an exciting personal experience from her visit, revealing that she inspected eleven Coastal Security Police boats for the first time while arriving at the island.
"The experience was truly thrilling," the minister remarked, highlighting both the security aspects and tourism potential of the coastal waters. Her firsthand inspection of security vessels underscored the government's commitment to ensuring safety alongside tourism development.
Government Officials Present at the Announcement
The Republic Day event witnessed participation from several key officials, including:
- Deputy Commissioner TK Swaroopa
- Zilla Panchayat CEO Prateek Bayal
- Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar
Their presence at St Mary's Island signaled strong administrative support for the coastal tourism initiative. The gathering represented a unified governmental approach to transforming Karnataka's coastal regions into premier tourism destinations through coordinated planning and implementation.
