Udupi: Tourism minister KJ George Monday announced the immediate release of Rs 50 lakh to install insulated cables along the Padubidri Beach road to tackle frequent power disruptions caused by corrosion and snapping of electrical wires due to high salt content in coastal air.Inspecting the beach, George directed Mescom officials to prepare an estimate for the work within a week.Noting that 1,000 to 2,000 tourists visit the beach daily and footfall rises significantly on weekends, George said all necessary basic infrastructure would be provided for visitors. He also stressed the need for adequate parking facilities and instructed officials to identify and acquire suitable govt or private land near the beach for the purpose.On the widening and concreting of the nearly 3-km road connecting NH-66 to the beach and the dredging of the Kamini River along the endpoint road, George said a joint meeting of officials from the ports and fisheries departments would be held soon to decide further action.Responding to complaints that private individuals had encroached on govt land adjoining the beach, he directed revenue department officials to inspect the area and take appropriate action as per rules.“Issues related to controlling sea erosion and developing tourism infrastructure will be discussed at the upcoming cabinet meeting, after which necessary action will be initiated,” he said.Trasi-Maravanthe beach developmentGeorge said development works at Trasi and Maravanthe beaches along NH-66 would be completed within the next three to four months.After inspecting Trasi-Maravanthe beaches, he said work at Trasi Beach, including a parking area, food court, cycle track and open-air theatre, had been underway for the past two years at an estimated cost of Rs 9.9 crore.Rise in electricity consumptionGeorge said rising electricity consumption had led to load-shedding in the state.“When I took charge, the power demand was 10,000 MW. It has now increased to 18,000 MW. In addition, deficient rainfall has reduced power generation at hydroelectric projects. We are upgrading substations and transformers to enhance the state’s power generation capacity,” he said.Sharavathi project critics creating unnecessary controversyGeorge Sunday accused opponents of the proposed Sharavathi pumped storage project of creating controversy by claiming it would threaten the habitat of endangered lion-tailed macaques.Speaking at the Jayashreekrishna Parisara Premi Samiti’s silver jubilee celebrations, George said the project would require around 125 acres, including 100 acres for pipelines, and promised 10 saplings for every tree felled.NRI entrepreneur Ronald Colaco urged the govt to constitute an expert task force, saying development and environmental conservation should complement each other.
