Mangaluru: Member of Rajya Sabha Oscar Fernandes laid the foundation stone for the construction of a 100 meter Jetty and a 300 meter concrete road at Sultan Battery Boloor here on January 24.
Addressing the gathering Oscar said that the Minister of State for Youth Empowerment, Sports and Fisheries Abhayachandra Jain has already received the memorandum from the fishermen and has agreed to fulfill all their three demands. Abhaychandra Jain has special concern about the fishermen. We have to upgrade the present system for fishing. Youth who are graduated also can start their own business. Dredging needed in Boloor area and Jetties should be constructed throughout the coastal line so that fishermen can easily do their fishing business. Let Sultan Battery be a tourist spot in the coming days,he said.
Minister Abhaychandra Jain said that the funds for the construction of a 100 meter Jetty has been sanction and the work will start from January 25. The funds of Rs 5 Crore have been sanctioned under the NBARD scheme. He also said that the mediapersons used to ask about the swimming pool project in Udupi and that the foundation stone for the swimming pool was laid but the work did not progress.
Jain further said that Oscar Fernandes encouraged him to join politics. He thought that he will give something back to Oscar’s district and completed the swimming pool work in Udupi in a year and the state level swimming competition was held in the same swimming pool in Udupi.
“Six months ago the Pejawar Swamiji said that the road in Pejawar Swamiji’s home town Bajpe was in a dilapidated condition and he requested me to repair it before the Paryaya, we repaired the road at a cost of Rs 1.25 crore and had it inaugurated by Sri Vishwesha Teertha Swamiji before the Paryaya”, said Jain.
During the next budget another Rs 5 crore will set aside for the extension of the Jetty. Funds will be provided for dredging work in the area, Ice Plant and diesel bunk will also be constructed in Sultan Battery. A shelter will be built for the people who use the road. He also said to utilize the funds wisely for the project because it is the tax payers money.
MLA of Mangaluru South Constituency J R Lobo said that Abhaychandra Jain has special concern about the fishermen and Rs 5 crore has been sanctioned for the construction of the 100 meter long Jetty. He also assured to reserve additional Rs 5 crore for the Jetty work. Lobo thanked Abhaychandra Jain for his concern towards the fishermen.
Lobo also said that Abhaychandra Jain has assured to release funds for the dredging work. Our senior leader Oscar Fernandes has good knowledge about fisheries. Taking advise from Oscar Will give positive results for all involved in the business.
He also said that whoever has wooden boats they will get steel boats. The state government has sanctioned Rs 14 crore for the hanging bridge and Rs 7 crore has been released to the PWD, but due to some technical problems the work has been delayed. On 27 January we have called for a meeting with the general secretary of PWD where we will come to a conclusion. There is no problem for funds, PWD is working on the project and has to finalise whether to make a permanent bridge or go for the hanging bridge. We are very serious about this project and the decision will be taken soon.
In Emmekeri a swimming pool will be constructed at a cost of Rs 5 crore, the tender process has been completed and work will start soon.
Mayor Jacintha Alfred, corporator Latha Salian, Sarala Kanchan and Rajashekar Karkera were present.