3D planetarium will be ready by March: Lobo

'Government is mulling the development of Mangalore as a port city'

MLA J R Lobo has said that 3D planetarium at Pilikula will be ready for public viewing by March.

Addressing a press meet here on Saturday, he said the planetarium is first of its kind in the country. The State government has given in-principle approval for the setting up of a marine aquarium at Pilikula. A detailed project on ‘samskrithi grama’ has been prepared and submitted to the government for approval. Rs five crore has been sanctioned for the setting up of eco park.

As promised in the election manifesto, the State government is mulling to develop Mangalore city as a port city and will take up works for the development of ports and fisheries sector.

Jetty

The MLA said that the government has approved the construction of a jetty at Sulthan Battery. A sum of Rs 48 crore has been sanctioned for the construction of a jetty in the north wharf in Mangalore for the anchoring of ships that ferry goods to Lakshadweep.

A meeting of Fisheries minister, Urban development minister and District-in-Charge Minister recently decided to conduct a survey for the expansion of fisheries port in Mangalore and prepare a detailed project report. The meeting also decided to expand dry fish market, and develop roads in Bunder area.

On the modernisation of fish market, the MLA said that a project report has been prepared for the development of Urwa market, Urwastore, Kankanady and Kadri fish markets. The project report of Urwastore and Urwa markets have been sent to the government for approval.

Coastal circuit

Stating that the Central government has sanctioned coastal circuit to Mangalore, he said that it will stress on the promotion of tourism.

Several beaches in Karnataka are set to get a facelift with the government approving the  project. In Dakshina Kannada district, beaches at Uchila, Someshwar, Ullal, Tannirbavi, Panambur and Surathkal are likely to be taken up for development.

The row over incomplete hanging bridge providing connectivity to Sulthan Battery from Bengre will now be taken up by the PWD. Stating that Corniche road (river front ring road) will be developed after preparing town planning scheme and getting approval from the government. The project will be taken up three phases from Jeppinamogaru-Kuloor0Gurpura bridge.

Urban development

The MLA said that the State government has given in-principle approval for second phase of ADB project worth Rs 350 crore. The work on drinking water pipelines and UGD lines will be taken up. The UGD connections are partially pending in the first phase. The electricity connection to the STP at Jeppinamogaru will be given within a month.