'First phase of work to check sea erosion to be over by 2016'

Minister for Ports and Textiles Baburao Chinchansur has said that first phase of the work to check sea erosion in Ullal under Sustainable Coastal Protection and Management Investment Programme (SCPMP), funded by Asian Development Bank (ADB), will be completed by June 2016.

Speaking to mediapersons here on Saturday, he said the work on constructing inshore berms, offshore reef and break water was in progress.

Out of four, two inshore berms, one offshore reef and one break water is likely to be completed by this monsoon.

The tranche-II works to check sea erosion under SCPMP will be taken up in 11 locations. They are Someshwar, Ermal, Thenka, Udyavara, Kodi Bengre, Kodi Kanyana, Gangolli, Maravanthe, Madikal, Shiroor, Murudeshwara and Pavinakurve.

The feasibility report has been prepared for five locations by Project Management Design Consultant (PMDCK) and has been submitted to Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS).

The feasibility report for the six more places will be prepared by March and loan negotiation applications will be submitted to the ADB by October 2015, the minister said.

Dedicated jetty

A long-pending demand for a dedicated jetty, for tourism and trade between Mangaluru and Lakshadweep, will soon be fulfilled with the Cabinet approving the Rs 50-crore project. The commercial jetty to be constructed on the northern side of the old port in Mangaluru will have facilities for both tourists and traders.

The draft project has already been sent to Lakshadweep Port for approval, Chinchansur said.The second phase of work on wharf at Mangaluru Old port at an estimated cost of Rs 9.66 crore is in progress. The work on extension of cargo wharf and concreting work at Malpe port, at an estimated cost of Rs 5.75 crore, is also in progress.

Tender has been invited for the construction of break water at Gangolli and Koderi fisheries port at an estimated cost of Rs 135.11 crore, he added.

On the minor ports policy, Chinchansur said the policy would see public-private partnerships in developing ports in Karnataka.

Twelve minor ports will be developed in the State. Private players have come forward to develop ports at Belkeri, Honnavara, Manki, and Pavinakurve.“When developed, these ports will generate employment and will also ensure development of coastal districts and will become a hub of commercial activities,” he said.

The Minister said that the State government had come out with an ambitious new textile policy for 2013-18.

It aims to attract an investment of Rs 10,000 crore and creating employment opportunities for five lakh people. Five private players have shown interest to set up textile parks in Yadgir. About 1,000 acre land has been earmarked for the purpose.

Maritime Board

To a query on Karnataka Maritime Board Bill, the minister said that the Bill was before the Union Home minister to be forwarded to the President  for his assent. The Bill was passed in 2011 and was submitted to the Centre to get President’s nod.  “The Central government had asked for clarifications twice. I will impress upon the Home Minister to forward the Bill to the President,” he said.
DH News Service