Foundation laid for fishing harbour at Kulai

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shipping and Water Resources Nitin Gadkari laid the foundation for fishing harbour project in Kulai and other road widening projects in the district via video conferencing on Tuesday.

The Kulai fishing harbour project is estimated to cost Rs 196 crore. The central government had sanctioned 50 percent of the total fund, under Sagarmala project. NMPT will bear 45 percent of the expense and state government will contribute 5 percent funds.

Union minister Nitin Gadkari said the Kulai fisheries jetty will benefit 4,500 fishermen in the region. The annual production capacity of the jetty is 27,000 tonnes and would fetch a revenue of Rs 170 crore.

Gadkari meanwhile assured that his ministry of road transport and highways would ensure that the work on Pumpwell flyover is completed before May 31, 2019. The work on Thokkottu flyover will be completed before March 31.

He said that directions had been issued to NHAI officials in this regard. He also laid the foundation for the 91.20km long Mangaluru city bypass connecting Mulki-Kinnigoli-Moorukaveri-Kateel Bajpe-Kaikamba-Polali cross-Addooru-Tenkabelluru-Kalpane-B C Road-Panemangaluru-Melkar-Konaje- Thokkottu through alignment linking, to be taken up at a cost of Rs 2500 crore, the work on 45.01 km long four-lane Sanuru junction - Bikarnakatte on NH 169 at a cost of Rs 1163 core, a major bridge across Phalguni river near Kuloor at a cost of Rs 65 crore.

MP Nalin Kumar Kateel said fishermen will see better days due to Centre’s Sagarmala project. The projects in the pipeline including the fisheries jetty and plastic park will provide ample job opportunities for the youth. The MP unveiled the plaque on the occasion.

Minister for Urban development and district in-charge minister U T Khader urged the Centre to take up the work on Kotepura jetty in Ullal. He also stressed on the need to construct a bridge connecting Kotepura and Hoigebazar in Bunder. A proposal for a work to be taken up at a cost of Rs 190 crore had been submitted to the government. The work should be included in Sagarmala programme, he said.

Khader also assured that the representatives from the Central and state government will jointly solve the NMPT toll gate issue. Mangaluru North MLA Dr Y Bharat Shetty presided over the programme. Mangaluru South MLA D Vedavyas Kamat, NMPT Chairman M T Krishnababu and Mogavira Sangha Association President Jaya C Kotian were present.