Udupi: Tender for maintenance of St Mary's Islands still pending

Malpe: After the expiration on the ban on entry into the Malpe beach since the end of the monsoon season, tourists have started to flock the beach as well as the St Mary’s Islands.

However, the tender process for the maintenance of the infrastructure of the island and water and adventure sports has not yet begun.

A separate tender has to be issued for the management of the Malpe Beach, the seawalk and the Saint Mary’s Island. Of the three Malpe beach’s tender has already been awarded.

Development work is underway near the seawalk so the tender for the island the seawalk will be issued together later. It will be only after that that all the activities on the island will begin in full force with basic facilities, including drinking water and toilets.

“Already 3 tourist boats and 4 speedboats are operating near the seawalk. The boating operations were started from September 15, 2019. This year the COVID-19 lockdown and guidelines have made the resumption of operations difficult. Each tourist boat has all safety equipment including life jacket, lifeboy, first aid system and skilled swimmers. Safety is a top priority,” said tourist boat operators Ganesh Ameen and Sanath Salian.

Ananda C Kollolikar, Commissioner of Udupi Town Council assured that the tender for the maintenance of the island and the seawalk will be issued within a week.