1,275 tourist destinations in Karnataka, but just 27 in Bengaluru; Experts blame rapid urbanisation
Bengaluru: Despite its rich cultural legacy and and heritage spanning over 500 years, Bengaluru has only 27 officially identified tourist spots, according to the Karnataka Department of Tourism. This is a stark contrast to the 1,275 tourist destinations listed across the state, raising concerns among experts who attribute the city’s shrinking tourism footprint to rapid urbanisation and unchecked growth in real estate.
While Bengaluru Urban accounts for just 27 destinations and Bengaluru Rural for 25, districts like Mandya top the list with 106 tourist sites, followed by Belagavi (100), Chikkaballapura (95), and Uttara Kannada (85). Yadgir trails at the bottom with only five tourist spots, reported The New Indian Express on Tuesday.
Historians and tourism experts say the capital city’s aggressive urban expansion has led to the erosion of many historical and cultural landmarks.
“Bengaluru had hundreds of destinations, and among them many have disappeared due to urbanisation. There are still many heritage walk sites that need to be identified and publicised to attract people,” the report quoted historian Suresh Moona as saying.
The 1,275 sites were reportedly selected based on historical significance, popularity, and visitor footfall.
“Action plans and approximate estimates should be sent to the department to get the required permission from the respective authorities and development work should begin,” TNIE quoted Department of Tourism Secretary Mohammad Ibrahim as saying.
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In PM’s absence, Bengal Guv launches national highway projects worth Rs 3,200 cr
Kolkata (PTI): West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose on Saturday unveiled national highway projects worth Rs 3,200 crore in West Bengal with an aim to boost economic activities and tourism in the state.
Bose officially launched the projects from Netaji Park in Taherpur area of Nadia district instead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was initially supposed to unveil the development projects from the ground, but whose helicopter failed to land in the area on account of insufficient visibility due to dense fog over the region.
Modi was forced to return to the Kolkata airport from where he later addressed the crowd in a virtual audio mode.
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Bose inaugurated the 66.7 km-long four-laning of the Barajaguli-Krishnanagar section of NH-34 in Nadia district, while he laid the foundation stone for the four-laning of the Barasat-Barajaguli stretch of the highway in the adjacent district of North 24 Parganas.
“It has remained our constant endeavour to ensure modern connectivity to those far-flung areas of Bengal which have suffered on account of backwardness,” the Prime Minister said while addressing the crowd.
Modi expressed regret for not being able to remain on the dais in person on account of inclement weather.
The projects will serve as a vital connecting link between Kolkata and Siliguri and help reduce travel time by approximately 2 hours, ensuring faster and smoother movement of vehicles and improving connectivity between the state's capital and other districts of West Bengal as well as with neighbouring countries, Modi said.
“The projects will also boost the economic growth in the region and will provide impetus to the growth of tourism across the region,” he added.
