Besides having a stroll at the Manna Palla lake, you may be able to enjoy adventure sports such as bungee jumping and wall climbing, if everything goes according to the plans of the District Administration.
The Manna Palla Lake is spread over an area of 60 acres with a small half-acre island amid it, which attracts different birds. The administration is in possession of 30 acres around the lake, where it intends to develop various facilities.
The administration has formed a Manna Palla Development Committee (MDC), which has authorised Udupi Nirmiti Kendra (UNK) to undertake the development of tourism and resort facilities around the lake at a cost of about Rs. 13 crore.
PPP mode
The UNK has floated tenders to develop the lake through Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode under Design, Building, Finance, Operate and Transfer basis.
The facilities expected to come up include a herbal garden, eight gazebos, 15 cottages made of wood and temporary materials that can be dismantled, three toilet blocks, a restaurant facing the lake, a natural turf, a playground, 30 granite seats, installation of 40 sign boards, chain link mesh fencing, a wooden deck for outdoor seating, a cycling track, a parking lot and landscaping.
Already there is a three-km-long walking track around the lake. The UNK took up the desilting works at the lake in May to remove the silt in the lake.
“The removal of the silt has increased the water retention capacity of the lake. This will help retain water in the lake round the year,” said Deputy Commissioner R. Vishal.
There is also a facility to drain the excess from the lake during the monsoon. The increase in the water retention capacity is also expected to help in introducing boating facilities at the lake. The developer is expected to put in CCTV cameras around the lake to maintain its security.
One of the reasons for the administration going in for the PPP mode is not just to facilitate its development as a sought-after tourist spot and introduce new facilities such as water and adventure sports, but also to meet its annual expenses.
“We require at least Rs. 25 lakh per annum for the maintenance of the lake. The PPP mode will be take care of it,” said Arun Kumar, Project Director of Nirmiti Kendra.
Skeptical
But the development plan is not without its skeptics. Nityananda Volakadu, General Secretary of Udupi Zilla Nagarika Samiti, said that he welcomed the development initiatives of the administration. “But we do not want the lake to become the preserve of the rich only. The plan should be an inclusive one,” he said.
A Manna Palla Development Committee has been formed to develop tourism and resort facilities at the spot
