Shivamogga: “Various developmental works will be taken up to make Jog Falls a tourism hub. A modern integrated information centre will be set up at a cost of Rs 4.95 crore. State government has taken interest in providing facilities here”, said Tourism and Major Industries Minister R V Deshpande on Sunday.
Speaking to reporters, Deshpande said that Jog Falls has been lagging behind in attracting tourists mainly due to lack of infrastructure. Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa has taken interest in developing it as a tourism hub.
Jog Management Authority has prepared an Rs 10.37 crore action plan for 2015-16. A sum of Rs 2.09 crore was sanctioned already and Rs 33.27 lakh was released for setting up the integrated information centre. A parking area will be developed at a cost of Rs 70 lakh and a shelter will be built at Rs 95 lakh for visitors to view the falls, he added.
Deshpande said that Rs 50 lakh will be invested on developing other infrastructure facilities and a hanging bridge will be constructed from the new parking area to the main entrance of the falls at a cost of Rs 2 crore.
There is a plan to construct a platform at a cost of Rs 25 lakh near the Bombay Guest House of Siddapur taluk to view the falls, he added.
The authority has held several meetings and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is keen on developing the tourism sector, he added.
