BELGAUM, SEPT 11
People of Goa, who visit Belgaum in large numbers every day, can now think of a better weekend during their holidays in Belgaum.
This is because after a rather long time, Karnataka Government has taken the development of tourism in the state very seriously.
If one goes by recent declarations by Tourism Minister Janardhan Reddy, tourism in Belgaum and other parts of Karnataka would have better days.
Belgaum, which is the most preferred shopping centre, may soon become a tourism hot spot too. Thus, the question raised by every Goan about where to go for sight seeing in Belgaum may soon find an answer.
According to Reddy, all the districts in the state including Belgaum will soon have ‘Pravasi Soudhas’, the centres providing all information about tourist destinations and would be engaged in promoting tourism in respective district.
The tourism minister recently held an important meeting with the deputy commissioners of the North Karnataka comprising Belgaum, Bijapur, Dharwad, Bagalkot, Gadag, Haveri and Uttar Kannada, and discussed in detail the steps to be taken in this regard.
“All these seven districts coming under the Belgaum division will be given special preference in promoting tourism,” said Reddy.
Speaking to media, Reddy said the state government has raised the tourism budget from a meager Rs 15 crore to Rs 250 crore.
“Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, who is very much interested in promoting tourism in the state, has assured that soon the tourism budget would be doubled in the near future,” informed Reddy.
Reddy also informed that Heli-tourism will also commence in Karnataka from the forthcoming ‘Rajyotsava’ (statehood) day on November 1, when helicopters would be pressed into service for covering the heritage circuits involving Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal.
According to Reddy, every ‘Pravasi Soudha’ will have a mini theatre, conference hall and will be manned by an officer of the state administrative cadre. The state government has already set aside Rs 100 crore to promote tourism in Belgaum division.
He also said the process of developing Kittur Fort, Rajhansgad Fort and other centres of tourist importance are being developed to provide conveniences for the tourists.
However, it was not clear about what steps the state government will be taking to comfort thousands of Goan tourists visiting Belgaum.
It is also not clear what language will be used in the ‘Pravasi Soudhas’, as all Goans visiting Belgaum do not know Kannada.
