JOIN USThe Union Minister for Law M Veerappa Moily himself has hinted at this. Addressing a party workers meeting here on Tuesday, he said the Urban Development Minister S Jaipal Reddy has told him that Mangalore could not be brought under the JNNURM since the population here is less than the specified number. “Mangalore may not get the scheme with its present population. It is left to the local administration to decide whether it can show increased population to the Union government by including some more areas like Mulky,” he said.
Moily also said he has urged the minister to grant the scheme to Mangalore since it has a special economic zone.
He said the 6-lane concrete road between Surathkal and the MRPL has not been sanctioned by anybody.
“It may be just a statement of Mangalore Mayor. Such a project has not been sanctioned. However, I have requested the MRPL authorities to sanction the project with a tender system,” Moily said.
The party workers lamented that the BJP leaders are taking the credit for the schemes granted by the Central government.
International airport
The minister said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh may inaugurate the Mangalore international airport after November 15. He also said the project of four-laning of the NH 17 stretch between Surathkal and Kundapur may get the Central government’s approval within two weeks. The road connecting Teerthahalli-Agumbe-Udupi will also be developed, he added.
Responding to a demand by a party worker that the petroleum pipeline from Dhabol that has come up to Davangere should be extended till Mangalore and also that an LPG pipeline should be laid between Coimbatore and Mangalore, Moily assured of pressurising the authorities concerned.