'Fund allocation to up tourism potential'

An amount of Rs 95 lakh will be released for the development of 'Pilikula Nisargadhama' on the outskirts of Mangalore, Karnataka Minister for Tourism and Textiles B Sriramulu said.

During a visit to the city, the minister told reporters here that a proposal for Rs 8 crore had already been sent to the Centre as part of the 'special package plan' for the development of coastal tourism.

The state government is also planning the launch of luxury trains on the model of Palace of Wheels in Rajasthan, he said.

Of the Rs 60 crore allocated in the state budget for the development of tourism, Rs 2.5 crore had been released for Badami and Rs 4 crore for projects at Kemmannagudi. An amount of Rs 5 crore will be released soon for projects at the Jog falls, he said.

The outlay for tourism development in the coming budget has been estimated at Rs 170 crore, he added.