The Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) is currently awaiting communication from the department of urban development and town planning to formulate an action plan for a tourism project that the urban local body can develop and maintain.
During his recent visit to the city, minister Byrathi Suresh suggested that the MCC prepare an action plan for a tourism project, assuring Rs 50 crore from the state government for the development of a tourist centre. However, mayor Sudheer Shetty told TOI: “MCC has not yet received any communication from the department regarding the proposal. Despite the minister’s commitment a month ago to release Rs 25 crore for city development works, no funds have been disbursed, and there has been no communication from the urban development department regarding the tourism project plan.”
Even though the controversial ropeway project to Chamundi Hills which was shelved after stiff opposition from environmentalists, the announcement by CM Siddaramaiah that the government is ready to implement the project if the greens do not oppose it has triggered another round of debate over promotion of tourism and conservation of environment in the eco-sensitive zone.
Further, he stressed the need for the minister to officially communicate and send a letter to the MCC, soliciting a proposal for a tourism plan to be implemented in the city. He pointed out that the minister’s promise was made orally, and no official steps have been taken yet. “We are waiting for the minister’s letter to kickstart initiatives regarding the tourism development plan,” he said.Sources said that many key officials were not aware of this tourism development plan and have not received any intimation. The issue has not been discussed with top officials either. Mangaluru City South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath also raised this issue in a recent press conference. He highlighted the minister’s failure to fulfil his commitment of sanctioning Rs 50 crore from the state government for the development of a tourist centre. The MCC is eagerly awaiting official communication to initiate the necessary steps for the tourism development plan, he added.
