'More funds sought for development of ports, coast in Karnataka'

PWD, Ports Minister Mahadevappa inspects works under ADB project

Minister for PWD and Ports Dr H C Mahadevappa on Tuesday said that the department has sought Rs 500 crore to Rs 600 crore from the state government for development of ports and coastal areas.

The minister, who inspected Phase I of the works under Asian Development Bank (ADB) project, said “In the last 10 years, there has not been much funding for development of ports and the coast. The government will surely consider the demand for more funds.”

There are 12 ports in the state and works are taken up after an experts committee submits a detailed study report. When the UPA government was in power at the Centre in 2011, the state had planned to take up various works of Rs 911 crore with the ADB funds to check sea erosion. The works were launched in 2014 at the ratio of 15:85, with the Centre being the guarantor. It took two to three years to prepare a detailed project report (DPR).

Accordingly, works on building berms, offshore reefs and breakwater are on as works worth Rs 29 crore have to be completed under Phase I. The total works are expected to be completed by 2020.

The minister said that the development works are intended at aiding fishermen, besides promoting tourism and also generate adequate employment opportunities. Apart from road and surface transport, inland transport is another focus area, he added.

To a query on pending proposal related to procurement of permanent dredger, the minister promised to examine the same.

On ferry
Earlier, the minister went on a ferry to take stock of the ongoing works from the old port, covering Alive Bagilu and Ullal, where the works are underway.

The minister was accompanied by Food and Civil Supplies Minister U T Khader, Mangaluru South MLA J R Lobo, Port Officer (Mangaluru) Capt C Swamy, who holds additional charge as the director of ports and inland water transport, ADB Project Director N S Ramesh, Joint Director Gopal Nayak, Department of Ports Superintendent Engineer K S Jambale and PWD SE B T Kantharaj and other officials.