Udupi: The Padubidri beach is likely to receive the Blue Flag tag shortly. It is the first beach in Karnataka and one among the 13 beaches chosen across the country to have bagged this preferred distinction which is likely to promote tourism.

The Blue Flag is a stringent international standard for beaches and in order to qualify for the certification a series of criteria, as laid down by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) must be met and maintained. Few of the criterion includes provision of services, standards for quality, safety, environmental education and general environmental management etc.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has conceived an integrated coastal management scheme-BEAMS (Beach Management Services) to implement this project.

Under this project, the beach located at Padubidri endpoint will get a sum of Rs eight crore for its transformation. While the project plans are being drawn up works such as providing road connectivity, clearing of bushes, levelling of land etc have resumed at the beach.

A Haryana-based company has been given the contract of renovations at the beach and they are likely to start work soon, it is gathered. Facilities such as parking area, play arena for kids, changing rooms, washrooms, jogging track, waste disposal units etc are planned to be built in the 5.88 acre of government, under this project.