Karwar and not Goa is the preferred destination for many, this year-end - Indian Express

Karwar and not Goa is the destination for many Bangaloreans and  Maharashtrians this year-end. There has been a heavy rush of tourists here this winter season. All resorts in town are booked up to January 2. Cashing in on the sudden boom, hotels are doing good business.

It was not too long ago that Goa was considered a tourist paradise. Karwar boasts of unparallel scenic beauty. Its 5 km long silvery beach immortalised by Rabindranath Tagore, cluster of islands in the Arabian sea, Kali river and of course the Western Ghat ranges with its green canopy protruding into the sea did not attract the tourists hitherto due to lack of facilities.

The credit goes to Uttara Kannada zilla panchayat, which first mooted the idea of exploring the tourist potential of Karwar, particularly Devabag peninsula at the mouth of the Kali. Though plans were drawn up in the early nineties, no tourism projects could be taken up here due to lack of funds. It was then the Jungle Lodges and Resorts, a state government undertaking, decided to set up a beach resort at Devbag. Later, a number of private resorts mushroomed in and around the town providing the much-needed facilities to the tourists.  

It is not merely the natural splendour that attracts tourists. Karwar is ideal for seekers of peace and tranquility. It provides an exclusive escape for secrecy and solitude. It was on the beach of Karwar that Rabindranath Tagore spent a moonlit night. The beauty of the night was the inspiration for many of his literary works, Tagore wrote in his memoirs.

For adventure lovers, there are many water sports like aqua glide ride, kayaking, water scooter, speed boat ride, snorkelling and para sailing at Devbag. The rich bio diversity of Karwar attracts botanists and environmental scientists. One can ride with fishermen in their boats deep into the sea for a thrilling experience. Swimming is not dangerous in the sea, known for its sublime calmness. Karwar sea is a  natural habitat for dolphins. During the boat ride one can spot the frolicking dolphins.

Local delicacies, particularly fresh sea food is a delight. “We come here because it is a place one only dreams of. It is a fit place to relax,” says a software engineer from Bangalore.


Source - http://expressbuzz.com/states/karnataka/tagore%E2%80%99s-inspiration-is-now-tourists%E2%80%99-spot/234501.html

Pune Ernakulam B Weekly Superfast Train Only One Stop In Karnataka Petition - IndianVoice.org

Pune Ernakulam B Weekly Superfast Train Only One Stop In Karnataka Petition - IndianVoice.org

The Ministry of Railways on Saturday, the 27th November 2010, introduced a train connectingPune, Navi Mumbai, Goa, Mangalore and Ernakulam via Konkan Railway. Railway officials said that it will be the first train from Pune to run on Konkan Railways following a consistent demand for a regular train on this route from the Malayali community in Pune. It is among the four new ones announced in the railway budget 2010-11 by railway minister Mamata Banerjee.

Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/others/panaji-a-new-train-on-the-konkan-railways-69138?cp

Train 2519/2520 Ernakulam -Pune-Ernakulam bi-weekly super fast express will leave Ernakulam on Tuesdays and Fridays at 5.15 am and will reach Pune at 5.50 am, next day. From Pune, this train will leave on Sundays and Wednesdays at 6.45 pm and will reach Ernakulam Junction at 7 pm the next day. This train will have stoppages at Thrissur, Shoranur, Tirur, Kozhikode, Thalassery, Kannur, Kasargod, Mangalore Junction, Madgaon, Savanthavadi Road and Panvel.

Read more: Ernakulam-Pune bi-weekly from today - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangalore/Ernakulam-Pune-bi-weekly-from-today/articleshow/6996973.cms#ixzz16y4Jke1B

The newly started Pune-Ernakulam express train covers a distance of 353 kms in Karnataka. However, it has been given stops only at Mangalore Junction station. In Kerala, it covers 419 kms, but seven stops have been given there, at Kasargod, Kannur, Talassery, Kozhikode, Tirur, Shoranur and Trissur.

No Stop even at district headquarters like Udupi and Karwar, makes the people of the region to question the motive behind this neglect towards Karnataka.

Its High Time, people of Karwar stood up and demand for the Train to Stop at Karwar, which is a District H.Q. and wake up our respective Representatives...

Demand for a new Kadwad-Sunkeri Bridge

This Bridge built in the year 1963 is the only nearest connecting Link to the Villagers  of Kadwad to Sunkeri and Karwar town. Now it is in a very Dilapidated Condition. A demand for a new bridge was put forth by the people, but so far the Government has not acted upon it. The  bridge is now dangerous even for two and three wheelers, and the people, including school and college Students, fishermen, pensioners, patients and employees, have to take a round-about route of Ten Kms to reach Kadwad from Sunkeri, which is just 300 metres across the Kali backwaters, a stone's throw away.

The anger of the villagers has now acquired a new magnitude, as they have reliably learnt that the present District-In-Charge Minister - Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri has diverted the Rupees Eight Crores meant for the new bridge to his Sirsi Constituency.
 The near-disqualification of the Karwar Constituency has silenced the voice of the Kadwad villagers in the Assembly, and they have no voice to vent their demands.

The visit of the Chief Minister Dr B. S. Yeddiyurappa to Karwar Constituency to hand-over the houses to the victims of the Maadibag Hill Landslide after over a year of the incident, had kindled some hope in the minds of the local people, that the bridge could be newly constructed after all. But now it is also learnt that the Chief Minister may not visit Kadwad at all to hand-over the houses to the land-slide victims, which has again enraged the local people.

 
The apathy of the Government to respond to the needs of the people, combined with the alleged discriminatory approach of the District-In-Charge Minister, to favor his Sirsi Constituency, at the cost of the other taluks of the District, and the hasty decision of the Karwar Constituency MLA Anand Asnotikar earning his dsqualification, has watered down the hopes of the people of this Region, to see any developmental works in Karwar. The very own BJP party of the Minister is dis-illusioned about his attitude as per this Report