Udupi: A proposal for a floating jetty at the St. Mary’s Island here, a popular tourist venue, has evoked no response from the tourism department. Even if sanctioned now, it will take a year to build and in the meanwhile, the tourists will have to suffer.
In the absence of a jetty, tourists have to change boats mid-sea.The tourists board a mechanised boat at the Malpe fisheries harbour and then near the island, get into a small boat, which takes them close to the island. The reverse process is necessary on return.
This scenic island is about 30-minute boat ride from the Malpe fisheries harbour. This palm-fringed island without any human habitation covers 500m in length and a width of 100 metres. The island has unique basalt rock formations jutting out into the Arabian Sea in intriguing shapes.
The island is a popular tourist destination. There is a boat service from Malpe fisheries harbour to the St. Mary’s Island for about eight (off-monsoon) months. It is estimated that nearly 80,000 persons visit this island during these eight months.
“A proposal of Rs. 2.25 crore to construct a floating jetty at St. Mary’s Island was sent to the Tourism Department three years ago, but there has been no progress on it. The estimate for the floating jetty was done by the Nirmiti Kendra,” said Kumara, Additional Deputy Commissioner.
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