Karnataka government has submitted a Rs 274-crore proposal to the Centre for developing a tourism circuit in drought-hit Bidar district with an aim to create alternative jobs.
The proposal has been submitted to the Union Tourism Ministry under the central scheme Swadesh Darshan which promotes integrated development of theme-based circuit.
"We have submitted a Rs 274-crore proposal to develop a tourism circuit connecting Bidar fort, Basavakalayan fort and Gulbarga fort. A presentation was also made and the proposal was discussed in detail in a recent meeting," Bidar Deputy Commissioner Anurag Tewari, who was in the capital to attend the meet, told PTI.
The Centre has asked the state to relook at the possibility of connecting more places like Bijapur and Hampi in the circuit, Tewari said adding he is hopeful of getting central assistance for the proposed circuit at the earliest.
Asserting that Bidar has huge tourism potential, Tewari said the proposed circuit is expected to create mor job opportunities to drought-hit farmers and promote sale of local handicrafts like Bidri artworks.
At present, the monthly tourist flow in these three forts is estimated to be around 28,000, which is likely to jump three-fold to 84,000 once the circuit is developed, the Bidar district tourism department officials said.
Otherwise, the total tourist flow in the district is about 2 lakh a month, which comprises mostly the local tourists. Foreign tourist flow is less due to lack of amenities and transportation, they added.