MANGALURU: Officials of Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Ltd (KRIDL) found themselves in crosshairs of DC Sasikanth Senthil S over what Senthil, also the district magistrate termed was lethargic pace of implementation of tourism development projects given to the agency for implementation.Senthil warned that the administration would mull registering criminal cases against such officials if they did not pick up the pace of implementation.Intervening in a review meeting on tourism projects in Dakshina Kannada that director of tourism department B Ramu chaired here on Saturday, Senthil said despite the fact that many of these projects have been entrusted to KRIDL, there is not much to show by way of progress. Projects were entrusted to KRIDL to fast track its implementation, the DC said adding there has been no apparent progress despite these being repeatedly reviewed.Ramu said the department has taken up projects worth Rs 19.78 crore in the district and share of KRIDL in them is Rs 14.14 crore, Nirmithi Kendra Rs 2.02 crore and PWD Rs 3.61 crore. The government has released Rs 8.43 crore to these implementing agencies thus far, he said, adding lack of tangible progress on the ground despite grants being made available up front is a cause for concern and step mulled by the DC seem appropriate.The department has already approved proposal for construction of yatri nivas and development of basic infrastructure in the vicinity of places of tourism importance in the district. Respective implementing agencies should complete the same in a time bound manner, he said. In cases where there is delay in handing over land for construction of yatri nivas, it is prudent that such projects be dropped and other projects prioritised, Ramu noted.The PWD has submitted an estimate for Rs 1.25 crore to develop the road connecting Sulthan Batheri, an ASI-protected site in the city. The department officials should come up with more viable projects to exploit vast and promising potential that beach tourism offers in the district, Ramu said, adding this is gauged from the fact the footfalls to the beach is increasing. Uday Kumar Shetty, assistant director, and other department officials were present.

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