'Clear plan on MSEZ must be in place before 2013'

Considering the New Mangalore Port Trust’s (NMPT) potential for growth there is a need to change the guidelines for this Port. Though NMPT functions in accordance to the guidelines of others ports like Mumbai and Cochin, the same guidelines cannot be applied for NMPT for long term, said Union Minister for Corporate Affairs M Veerappa Moily.

Speaking to the media persons following a confidential meet with the NMPT, NHAI and MRPL in Mangalore on Sunday, the minister said that keeping in mind the further development of NMPT, there is a necessity to introduce new guidelines to the Port and the issue will be addressed at the earliest. Stressing on the need for MSEZ in Mangalore, he said that Mangalore is the best place in Karnataka to have industries and all the planning in connection to MSEZ should be in place before 2013.

“According to the studies, the potentiality of the coastal region will be sealed by 2013, thus the plans to set up industries should be chalked out and solved within next two years and rest of the years should be reserved for implementing the plans,” he said.

Stressing on the need to introduce MSEZ II Phase in the district, he said he would ask the State government to reconsider its decision of denotifying the land for MSEZ II Phase.

NHAI

Reviewing NHAI work in the district Moily said that NHAI work is seeing slow progress in the district due to several obstacles.

In context of Kuloor, Nanthoor, Kulshekhar and Surathkal, he said that the flyover work in Kuloor will be completed by November, while flyover work in Nanthoor, Surathkal and Kulshekhar will be completed within December.

“The NHAI roads in Kuloor, Nanthoor, Kulshekhar and B C Road have not seen progress due to several hindrances in terms of land acquisition. With NHAI receiving judgement in its favour in all the four cases,” he said.

“The work will be started soon. In several states including Goa, NHAI projects have been cancelled due to land acquisition problem. Such hindrances should not take place in Karnataka keeping in mind the development of the State,” he informed.

The minister said that the proposal for the Kundapur-Goa four lane road construction works has been sent to the Planning Commission and the work will start soon after it receives clearance from the Commission.

He also informed that construction of railway over bridges in the city will be taken up after receiving consent from the railways.

He said that he has planned for the construction of bypass road on B C Road-Polali-Mulki. Plans are on to upgrade Udupi-Agumbe-Theerthahalli State Highway into National Highway. 

He said the proposal to build Container Yard in NMPT is now with the Planning Commission. Once the project receives he nod, the work will begin.