Preparations in full swing for River Festival on Jan 12-13

Mangaluru: For the first time, ‘River Festival’ is being organized in the city with the aim to promote tourism along the coast. Preparations are on in full swing for the purpose at Kulur, Tannirbhavi and Sultan Battery river banks.

The ‘River Festival’ is being organised as part of Karavali Utsav on January 12 and 13 and is planned to develop river banks at tourism spots in the city. By providing necessary facilities, the coast can be changed into a mighty tourist attraction.

20 acres of government land has been identified for the River Festival. The work on building a make shift jetty for the purpose is going on in full swing. The location was visited by the deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada district Sasikanth Senthil, and senior officials of tourism department and took stock of the work progress.

The main aim of organizing River Festival is to promote tourism in the district by using river banks and backwaters. The festival will activate the tourism potential of these areas, said the DC.

The two days River festival will include water adventure sports, floating hotel, restaurant, food court, several stalls, cultural programmes and many other attractions along the river banks. A film festival on the importance of the rivers will also be held. The district tourism department has released Rs 30 lakh for the festival.

The deputy commissioner said that the district administration is helped by fishermen in making preparations for the River Festival. Temporary jetties will come up at Bangrakulur, Tannirbhavi and Sultan Battery.