Karnataka - Hassan

Open-top train to be introduced

Hassan: Principal Secretary Tourism Subir Hari Singh discussed measures to be taken for the development of tourism in the district in the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Hassan on Monday.

Mr. Singh said that tourists must be provided with the necessary facilities, officials should ensure that cleanliness is maintained in Halebeedu, Belur and Shravanabelagola and they should be illuminated to make it more attractive to visitors. Mr. Singh suggested that the present helipad in Halebeedu (that is 3 km away from Halebeedu) should be developed. Besides this, roads connecting Javagal, Belur and Halebeedu must be developed so that tourists can reach those places in the shortest possible from Hassan.

The Government has released Rs. 7.5 lakh to construct police outpost buildings in Halebeedu, Belur and Shravanabelagola, he informed.

Deputy Commissioner Naveen Raj Singh said that the Government had released Rs. 1 crore for protection and preservation of heritage buildings in the district. Details would be decided at the district tourism committee meeting.

Mr. Singh said he had requested Railways to introduce special trains, with compartments that are either roofless or have transparent roof, on Sakleshpur-Mangalore route. This would enable tourists to view the picturesque Western Ghats and the tunnels that pass through Hassan-Mangalore railway route. Mr. Singh said that the Railways had responded positively to his suggestion and discussions were on in this regard. He said that roofless compartments in trains would be a unique experiment and perhaps the first of its kind in the country.

Mr. Singh also visited Belur and Halebeedu.

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