Mangaluru: Priyanka Mary Francis, Deputy Commissioner, said on Tuesday that a floating jetty would be constructed on St. Mary’s Island at a cost of ₹2.26 crore to make it easy for tourists to descend and ascend from boats taking them from Malpe.

She was chairing a meeting of the District Tourism Development Committee at the Deputy Commissioner’s office here.

Ms. Francis said that presently, tourists had to go in a big boat near the island and then shift to a small boat to reach the island. Since there was no jetty, they had to step into the water to get to the island. Shifting the boats in the midst of the sea was dangerous especially for children and senior citizens. Hence, a proposal for a floating jetty had been prepared. During monsoon, it would be possible to remove the jetty, she said.

She directed the officers of Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Ltd. (KRIDL) to install CCTV cameras at Malpe beach and to build the shelter and watch tower there.

The petty shopkeepers whose shops were removed from Trasi beach would be given 20 shops at a place designated by the Tourism Department there. The land belonging to the Tourism Department would be fenced.

She directed the officers of Nirmiti Kendra to prepare a proposal to construct guesthouses in traditional style to attract tourists to Trasi. A watch tower and proper lighting facilities would be provided at the beach.

The administration has already sanctioned the operation of two houseboats in the district. Applications for operation of five more have been received. The Tourism Department officers should draw separate guidelines for operation of houseboats and stop their over-crowding in rivers, she said.

A sub-committee was formed to take steps to get Blue Flag certification for Padubidri beach. The meeting also discussed development of a garden at the Koti Chennayya Theme Park at Karkala.

In order to promote surfing activities in the district, it was decided to hold a State-level surfing competition at Padukere on September 29 and 30. It was also decided to promote tourist spots in the district on social media.

A training programme will be held for homestay owners, houseboat owners and agencies maintaining beach on promoting tourism, Ms. Francis said.