Govt plans 'Kuteeras' on major roads to boost tourism

The Tourism department is planning to provide wayside amenities along major roads connecting destinations of tourist importance in the state.

These wayside amenities to be named “Kuteera” will necessarily have a cafeteria, pharmacy, information kiosk and a souvenir shop. The department is planning to set up such centres at various points along national highways, state highways and major district roads.

“Usually, well-travelled stretches like Bengaluru-Mysuru highway have a good number of outlets offering wayside amenities.

However, it is found that there was a significant shortage of such organised wayside amenities along several major roads and it is on these stretches that the department plans to offer facilities for the travellers,” Minister of State for Tourism Priyank Kharge said.

The process of working out the modalities for the project and the places where the wayside facilities could be offered is being finalised, Kharge said.

The minister said initially the Tourism department will take the initiative of setting up the wayside amenities on government property. Private players can also set up shop but they will have to function under the brand name “Kuteera” and follow the guidelines provided by the department.

Three types planned
Three types of “Kuteeras” are being planned. The basic type will have a coffee shop, a pharmacy, an information kiosk and a souvenir shop replete with handicraft items, sandalwood carvings, artefacts, incense sticks, metal lamps, Lambani jewellery, among others that reflect the culture and heritage of Karnataka.

The second type of “Kuteera” will also have rest rooms/dormitory, besides a retail store. The third type of “Kuteera” will have all the facilities available at a three star hotel, Kharge said.  However, the department is initially focusing on the basic type of Kuteera.

Officials said it would take two to three months to finalise the modalities of the project. While the exact points where the tourism department will set up wayside amenities is yet to be identified, some of the stretches which are being discussed include, Belagavi-Vijayapura, Hosapete-Badami, Mysuru-Madikeri, Chikkamangaluru-Sringeri, Kalasa- Sringeri, officials said.