The Hindu Business Line : Karnataka cabinet okays Rs 126 cr more for tourism infrastructure

IN a major decision that is expected to give a boost to tourism promotion in the State, the Cabinet today approved additional funds to the tune of Rs 126 crore to develop tourism infrastructure.

Tourism, which has been gaining special attention from the Government, has had the bonanza of a more than 40 per cent hike in budgetary allocation this year, from Rs 12 crore to Rs 18 crore.

Briefing media persons on the decisions taken at the Cabinet meeting, the Chairman of Cabinet Sub-committee on Tourism and the Medium and Large Industries Minister, Mr R.V. Deshpande, said that Rs 126 crore would be utilised for strengthening the existing infrastructure and developing Bangalore as a focussed tourism destination.

Mr Deshpande said the sub-committee had made proposals for strengthening tourism facilities for which it had sought an amount of Rs 126 crore.

Among the proposals recommended by the sub-committee is a proposal for developing new airstrips at Bijapur, Raichur, Karwar, Shimoga, Kodagu and Hassan.

Also, the Government had decided to improve the existing airstrips in Mysore, Mangalore,Gulbarga, Bellary and Harihar to give fillip to air traffic to these regions.

The Minister also said, as part of revamping the accommodation facilities for tourists, the existing infrastructure such as tourist lodges, PWD rest houses and Government bungalows would be improved by involving the private sector.

Another important decision taken at the meeting was to modify the levy of taxes on the hotel rooms tariff by taking into account the actual rate charged from the customers rather than the rack rate fixed by hotels.

"When such a practice is followed all over the country, we have to fall in line with others,'' he said.

Special focus on Bangalore

Bangalore, which has become an inevitable itinerary of several world leaders after its rapid progress in information technology, is yet to be made popular among average tourists.

This had prompted the committee on tourism to embark on a special focus in this aspect, said Mr R.V. Deshpande.

He said though the city attracted tourists from different parts of the world, the flow was still not up to the expectation. To give a better focus, steps would be taken to make Bangalore a `focussed tourist destination', the Minister said adding that the details of the proposal were being worked out.

Apart from IT, Bangalore also attracts large number of visitors who come to attend international and national conferences and seminars held here by virtue of it being a centre of various scientific and<243>industrial research organisations .

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