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Udupi district to promote Padukere beach as world class beach

UDUPI: Is the district administration keen to leverage Padukere beach vis-a-vis Malpe beach? Yes it seems given the keen interest that minister for youth empowerment and sports Pramod Madhwaraj is taking to develop it into a world class facility. Located close to Malpe, the Padukere beach with its idyllic settings and clean appearance, Pramod, also the district in-charge minister said this beach will be developed into a world class beach.

Completion of Padukere-Malpe Bridge at a cost of Rs 17 crore has provided directed connectivity for people wanting to visit Padukere beach. The Malpe Beach Development Committee will take care of needs of this beach as well. The beach cleaning machine bought for upkeep of Malpe beach will be used at Padukere as well. There is ample scope to promote tourism by providing space for vehicle parking, toilets, bathing and change rooms for tourists.

The administration also has plans to start home stay at Padukere with cooperation from locals; he said adding steps will be taken to ensure that model home stays come up in all three coastal districts of Karnataka, Udupi included. Such a measure will not only make tourism an inclusive activity for the local population, but also give them an extra source of income, he said adding the sense of local participation will also ensure better promotion of the beach.

Incidentally, the bridge across the Udyavara rivulet that the minister inaugurated recently fulfilling a five-decade long demand of residents of Padukere means they now reach Malpe by traversing just one-kilometre. Hitherto, residents had to travel about 15 km by road to reach Udupi and 18 km to reach Malpe or use ferry service which posed its share of inconvenience to young and the elderly. The administration is now seriously mulling to promote the beach.

’Ensure St Mary’s Island, Malpe Beach are clean, zero waste areas’

UDUPI: With St Mary’s Island and Malpe beach declared clean and zero waste areas, there should be no laxity in implementing it, district in-charge minister Pramod Madhwaraj said. Waste should be periodically cleared and there should not be complaints in this regard, the minister who chaired the meeting of Malpe Beach Development Committee at the DCs office on Saturday, said adding due effort should be given to ensuring cleanliness of the beach at all times.

There should be continuous effort to disseminate information regarding cleanliness among tourists by way of recorded message in the boats that ferry tourists to the Island. The message should specifically be about avoiding use of plastics, he said. In a bid to develop beach stretch from Padu Tonse to Padukere, the minister suggested introduction of attractive boat houses. This will enthuse tourists to spend some quality time on the shore in such boat houses, he noted.

The district has received Rs 15 crore under Swadesh Darshan scheme for tourism development and funds will be utilised for developing water sports at Malpe, Trasi and Maravanthe beaches, set up rescue boats at these beaches for enhanced tourist safety as well as set up a floating restaurant and procure other material that will aid growth of tourism related activities. All these works should be taken up in a time bound manner after preparing an action plan, he directed.

Taking note of the work taken by department of ports to construct a retaining wall at Malpe beach, the minister directed the authorities to ensure that this does not mar the scenic beauty of the beach. The committee also decided to install LED high mast lamps at the parking area of the beach as well as place barricade and rumbler strips to ensure that motorists do not speed down the road leading to the beach and thereby endanger lives and limbs of tourists who flock to the beach.

Acknowledging complaints received regarding deficiencies in Wi-Fi service provided at Malpe beach, the committee decided to rope in a telecom operator who can provide quality service. Prashant Amin, Udupi CMC councillor and member of committee drew attention to deficiencies in interlock system and construction of drains on the road leading to the beach. Priyanka Mary Francis, deputy commissioner, councilors and other officials were present.