Kumta: Custom officials files complaint against tourism department officials for demolishing heritage site

Bhatkallys News Bureau | I. Zaorez Shabab Kumta 04 Sept 2017: A complaint against the officials and contractors of tourism department was filed on 01 Sept 2017 by the department of customs for demolishing an heritage site which was earlier used as the light house at Kumta port till 1970s. After which due to its poor conditions it was abandoned but was preserved by custom department. Spread over three acres of land, it was built by the British more than 120 years back on an hilltop on Kumta beach. As per the records the site was under customs department since 1890s and was used as lighthouse until 1970s when it was eventually abandoned of use. The site however continued attracting tourists by giving them an splendorous view of the sunset from the top of the Kumta beach, locals also claims that several scenes of regional movies has been shot on the site over the years. In order to boost the local tourism the state government initiated several schemes and developmental work which also covered the Kumta beach, however the state government contractors demolished the lighthouse in a bid to build a canteen at the spot, annoyed by the decision the locals knocked on the doors of the custom departments to take an action against the contractors. The custom officials visited the spot on Friday and after the inspection filed an complaint against the contractors at Kumta Police station. In his statement, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Uttar Kannada district SS Nakul, expressed his uncertainty about the rights over the land and said a thorough survey will be made to clear the air over the rights of the land.