Rs 65 Crore Sanctioned for Development of Old Port – MLA Lobo
Mangaluru: “The Mangaluru old port and fisheries are the main reason for Mangaluru to be selected in the Smart City project. Fisheries is the only area in which we can produce more jobs. I have tried my best to develop the old port and fisheries, and today we have good news that the Central and State government have released Rs 65 crores for the third phase of the development work of the old port. The Central government has sanctioned Rs 25 crore and the remaining funds will be sanctioned by the state government”, said MLA J R Lobo in a press meet held at the Press Club here on October 2.
Addressing the mediapersons MLA Lobo said, “Earlier the business to Lakshadweep was very good but due to lack of concentration and support 75% of the business has gone to Kerala. We need to get back the business from Lakshadweep and in this connection, a higher-level delegation including myself will go to Lakshadweep to discuss the business strategy with the government. I will try to bring the business back to Mangaluru old port like the earlier times. If we bring back the business from Lakshadweep it will help in the development of Mangaluru”.
Lobo further said, To develop the port dredging and maintaining channel access is very much important. For the dredging work Rs 29 crore has been sanctioned in which the central government has already allocated Rs 14.5 crore and the remaining funds will be allocated by the state government. At present, the depth of the channel is only 4 meters which need to be extended to 7 meters. If we extend the depth large ships can come to the port.”
MLA Lobo also said, “At Mangaluru old port there are no sheds for fisherwomen. The state government has sanctioned Rs 47 lakh for the construction of sheds for Fisherwomen and the construction work will start soon. The state government has also sanctioned Rs 2.82 crore for the construction of boat shelters for traditional boats. Another Rs 4.5crore has been sanctioned by the state government for the development of Sultan Battery.”
MLA Lobo also urged the central government to continue providing funds at 60% / 40% basis. For the third phase of the Fisheries port development was at a cost of Rs 57.60 crore. The central government agreed to pay Rs 38.60 crores and state government Rs 19 crores. But to get the permission from the green bench for the project it took two years and this raised the cost to Rs 83.55 crores. The central government has now sanctioned only Rs 13 crore which has caused a delay in continuing the work. The central government should have a practical view of the situation and sanction funds on a 60 / 40 basis. The state government does not have much income to invest for major development works.
president of Bengre Masjid, Aslam; President of Mahajana Sangha Mohan Bengre, Chetan; former president of Mahajana Sangha Shekar Suvarna among others were present.