Soon, the backwaters of four dams — Kabini, Gorur, Bhadra and Hidkal — will become adventure tourism hubs.
The State government has decided to tap the scenic beauty of these reservoirs to promote adventure sports and entertainment facilities, including budget hotels, food courts, theme parks and resorts.
The Water Resources Department has decided to promote tourism through public-private partnerships near the dams. Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Ltd. and Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Ltd. will invite bids from private players for developing tourist spots at the four sites, sources in the Water Resources Department told The Hindu .
The available government lands, lush green forests, rivers, backwaters, and hilly and mountainous terrains at the dam sites will be utilised for promoting aqua sports (river rafting, boat riding, kayaking, and water skiing), trekking, and rock climbing.
Minister for Major Industries R.V. Deshpande, who attended the State High-Level Clearance Committee meeting on Thursday, said projects running up to ₹307 crore have been cleared for tourism development at Kabini in H.D. Kote taluk of Mysuru district (₹55 crore), Gorur in Hassan (₹80 crore), Bhadra in Chikkamagaluru (₹87 crore), and Hidkal in Belagavi district (₹85 crore).
It has been proposed that water sports and other tourism activities be promoted on the 300 acres at Hidal dam. In the Cauvery basin, feasibility checks and structuring project reports have been completed at Gorur and Kabini. And the plan is to create adventure theme parks, a golf course, a light show, and an amusement park on the 186 acres at Bhadra dam, officials said.
Other proposals
Mr. Deshpande said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah chaired the clearance committee meeting on Thursday and approved investment proposals worth ₹5,484.9 crore.
G.M. Infinite Dwelling India Pvt. Ltd. will invest ₹4,795.9 crore on 73.24 acres at Doddakannalli village in Bengaluru East taluk for developing an integrated township. The Sri Manjunath Educational Foundation Trust, Bengaluru, will invest ₹515 crore for establishing a medical college and research centre on land acquired by the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board in Hassan. Centurion Software Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Bengaluru, will invest ₹559.74 crore on ITES and residential and commercial space on 10 acres at the Doddanekundi Industrial Area in Bengaluru.
