Centre okays funds for setting up 7 floating jetties in Karnataka to boost tourism

New Delhi: The Centre has cleared a 100% grant of Rs 26 crore to set up 7 floating jetties on rivers in Karnakata for boosting tourism in the state.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways the grant has been extended under the Sagarmala programme.

In Karnataka, 7 floating jetty projects situated on Gurupura River and Netravati River have been sanctioned by the Ministry as a game-changer for the tourism sector.These projects are located at Sulthan Bathery, Bandaru ferry, Sandpit Bengre, Northern Sandbar, Old Port, Jeppinamogaru Old Ferry, and Kasaba Bengre, and will enhance tourism, create employment, and generate wealth in a ripple effect across industries throughout the entire geographical region, the official statement said.

The floating jetties provide an alternative solution to India’s over-crowded small harbours used for fishing and tourism related activities.

The floating jetties have multiple applications including marinas, minor harbours, fishing harbours, fish landing centres and waterdromes. These have several advantages over traditional jetties such as being environment friendly, having a longer shelf life and being easily re-configurable.

Rural areas stand to gain the most from the improved regional infrastructure and enhanced job opportunities engendered by tourism-related development projects, the official statement added.

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has successfully implemented a few pilot projects in the recent past by following the international guiding principles. These include setting up of passenger floating jetties in Goa, water-aerodromes at Sabarmati River and at Sardar Sarovar Dam (for the seaplane services) which are yielding the best results, the official statement explained.

More than 80 similar projects of the Ministry are under various stages of development all along the coastline of Karnataka, for overall development and uplift of the coastal community.

The Sagarmala programme is being implemented as part of the Modi government’s “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayaas” to build an Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

There are 27 projects in Karnataka worth Rs. 1428 crore out of which total funds sanctioned from Sagarmala for these projects is Rs. 611 Crore. As of now, 3 projects worth Rs. 70 Crore have been successfully completed. 18 projects worth Rs. 650 Crore have been sanctioned for Karnataka Maritime Board’’, said Sarbananda Sonowal, minister for ports shipping and waterways.