Marvanthe beach: Major development plans

Udupi: One of most beautiful stretches in Udupi district is the Marvanthe beach. The beach is located along NH66 at Marvanthe giving an enticing view for travellers of the Arabian Sea on the one side and the eye-catching Souparnika River on the other. Most tourists stop here to catch a view of the sea as it is very close to the highway. Taking into consideration the immense beauty of this unique location in the country, the district administration and the Department of Tourism have decided to convert this place into a major tourist centre.

There is a plan to create pavements with interlock tiles along the starch for the tourists to enjoy the cool breeze of the sea and also sit on granite benches to enjoy the beauty that surrounds the place.

The department  intends to develop 1.10 acres of land close to the beach for parking and other amenities for tourists under the Coastal Circuit Scheme at the cost of 1.36 crore rupees. Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL) has released funds for this purpose. Food shacks wiil be constructed to provide a taste of coastal cuisine to the tourists. A watch tower with life guard facility will be created on the beach.

A Tourism Information Centre with all facilities, including a food court will be constructed on 13.12 acres of government land opposite the Souparnika River on the other side of the highway. Adventure seekers will be able to enjoy the thrill of water sports here. Under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme of the Union government, 1.84 crore rupees has been sanctioned for the development of water sports.

Come September, a house boat facility will be introduced in the river and a floating restaurant is being planned near the river course.