Dedicated wharf for island ships in old port soon: Lakshadweep MP

Lakshadweep MP Muhammad Hamdullah Sayeed said that a separate wharf, devoted only for Lakshadweep ships, will be soon constructed at Mangalore Old Port, once the Karnataka government gives green signal. The MP of the island constituency was addressing media persons during his visit to the old port and Island’s office at Bunder in Mangalore on Thursday.

He said that the island administration has sent a draft proposal to the Karnataka Government in this regard. However, it requires some amendments as there are some points where the Union Territory and Karnataka differ. “Once the differences are sorted out, the work will be started soon,” he said.

He said that the archipelago, consisting of 36 islands, keeps a special realtionship with Mangalore and the Mangaloreans from time immemorial. “We depend on the coastal city for various purposes, which varies from the food items to construction work materials. Personally, for me, this is my second home. My father P M Sayeed, who was the MP of Lakshadweep for 10 terms, studied in Mangalore,” he added and said that maintaining good relations with Mangalore is important for Lakshadweep.

To a query on river sand mining and exporting to Lakshadweep, he said that Karnataka government should give special attention to the island people. “Even though the river sand mining is banned, the Karnataka government has given certain exemption to the governments of Kerala and Goa, Even though, we are less in population, Karnataka should understand our problems too and give us a special consideration, he said and added that he had already spoken to Planning Commission Vice Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and a draft order has been issued in this regard. A final order will be issued soon in this regard.

Estimation

To a question on the cost of construction of the wharf project, he said that estimation is around Rs 44.5 crore. The amount of construction will be borne by both Lakshadweep and Karnataka. The proposal suggests the establishment of a 300-metre-long dedicated wharf for the Lakshadweep administration at Old Mangalore Port. Apart from anchoring ships, the wharf will also help in the embarking of passengers and loading and unloading of cargoes. He hoped that the project would be a major boost for the people of Lakshadweep and Mangalore.