Minister for Tourism and Energy K.J. George at the Blue Flag Beach at Padubidri in Udupi district on Monday.
| Photo Credit: UMESH S. SHETTIGAR
Minister for Tourism and Energy K.J. George said on Monday that the government will release ₹50 lakh for replacing power supply cables to the Blue Flag Beach in Padubidri, Udupi district, with insulated electric supply cables.He asked MESCOM officials to prepare an estimate for the same within a week.Speaking after inspecting the beach, the Minister said that due to the salt content in the air of the coastal area, the electric cables are rusting and snapping, causing disruptions in power supply to the beach. Hence, the cables on the Blue Flag Beach Road will be replaced.He said that the number of tourists visiting the beach is increasing daily, with higher footfalls on weekends. All necessary infrastructure facilities will be provided for their convenience.Referring to the 3-km stretch connecting Padubidri Beach with National Highway 66, the Minister said that a joint meeting will be held soon with officials of the Ports and Fisheries Department to explore widening the road and upgrading it into a concrete road. The possibility of dredging the Kamini stream in Padubidri will also be explored, he said.The Minister, noting that verbal complaints have been received about private individuals encroaching upon government land allocated for the beach, asked Revenue Department officials to look into the matter and take appropriate action according to the rules.The Minister said between 1,000 and 2,000 tourists visit the Blue Flag Beach and nearby Padubidri Beach daily, requiring a suitable parking system. In this context, he asked officials to acquire government or private land near the beach to arrange a parking facility.Tourism activities are being affected due to sea erosion. Matters related to controlling sea erosion and tourism development will be discussed in the Cabinet meeting to be held in Mangaluru on September 18, and necessary action will be taken, he said.On this occasion, local residents submitted a memorandum to the Minister requesting the construction of a breakwater for the estuary between Hejamady and Padubidri, rebuilding the beach connecting bridge, completing the pending 1-km sea wall near the Blue Flag Beach, and constructing a suspension bridge to Endpoint Island. The Minister assured them that an appropriate decision would be taken after discussions with officials concerned.Chairman of the State Coastal Development Board M.A. Gafoor drew the Minister’s attention to the condition of the beach and the development works to be undertaken in the coming days.M.A. Gafoor, Chairman, Karavali Development Board; K. Harish Kumar, Chairman, MESCOM; Udupi District Guarantee Implementation Committee Chairman Ashok Kumar Kodavoor; Tourism Department Secretary Ramprasat Manohar and others were present. Published - September 07, 2026 06:52 pm IST
