Minister Mahadevappa Visits Old Port to take stock of 1st phase ADB project
Mangaluru: The PWD, Ports and Inland Transport minister H C Mahadevappa visited the old port and took a tour to take the stock of first phase of Asian Development Bank (ADB) project worth Rs 223 crore, on March 7.
After the survey, the minister speaking to the mediapersons said, After the reshuffle of the cabinet ministers by the CM, I have been given the responsibility of Ports and Inland Transport along with the PWD. After being appointed as the minister I had sent an expert team to study the port operations in Karwar and Mangaluru. I had also asked them to visit all the 12 ports. After they submitted the report I have taken their advice to develop the ports. Today we have inspected the old port here”.
Minister Mahadevappa also said, “In 2011, when UPA government was in power, under the ADB, we had received Rs 911 crores for the project and the amount was sanctioned in two phases. Under the project, the state government will spend 15% and the ADB will spend 85%, the central government was the guarantor. In 2011 the project was sanctioned and we started the DPR and survey work which took 3 years to complete. In 2014 we started the first phase of the work costing Rs 223 crore, which will be complete in 2017 and the second phase of the work will complete in 2020”.
The Minister further said, “Our main aim is to improve the lifestyle of the fishermen. We also need to improve tourism and create employment. Fishermen should also involve themselves in economic activities and other ships from various states and country should come to our port so that we can increase our revenue. This time we have requested the state government to reserve more funds for the development of the ports.”
Minister for Food and Civil supplies U T Khader, MLA J R Lobo, Captain Swamy and others were also present.