Maritime board seeks budgetary allocation for proposed heritage museum in Mangaluru

Mangaluru: Karnataka Maritime Board (KMB) CEO Jayaram Raipura said that the Board has proposed to establish a Heritage Maritime Museum on its one-and-a-half acres of land near a heritage Light House at Hoige Bazar in the city.

Speaking at the Coastal Karnataka Tourism workshop organised by the district administration and the Tourism Department, he said that a detailed project report has been prepared and is waiting for funds from the Karnataka government.

“We are hopeful of budgetary allocation in the upcoming budget,” he said.

“Except Karnataka, all the coastal states in India have established their maritime museums to celebrate their seafaring history. These museums will serve as vital repositories of maritime artefacts, stories and traditions, preserving and showcasing the nation’s maritime heritage.”

“Establishing the museum in Kudla will enrich the state’s cultural landscape and coastal heritage. The museum will be developed on PPP mode wherein permanent structure will be developed by the KMB,” he said. 

Water Metro

On the lines of the Kochi water metro project, the KMB has proposed a water metro project in the Gurpura river in Mangaluru.

The feasibility report is being prepared for the same. The project envisages 17 jetties, 10 boats and 20 buses for last-mile connectivity. The operation and maintenance will be left to a private entity. The project will cater to shore-to-shore transportation, daily commutes as well as tourism and regional development, he said.

In the second phase of the water metro project, Rivers Swarna, Netravati and Gurpura will be linked.

Jayaram said that the KMB will work towards a dedicated Lakshadweep jetty in Mangaluru. The KMB has also proposed water dromes at Ganesh Gudi, Linganamakki, Kabini and Netravati rivers.

International cruise port

To promote Mangaluru as a source for international cruise activity, the KMB has proposed an international cruise and tourism port with an 18-metre-draft, at Battappady in Someshwara.

A pre-feasibility report for the project has been prepared and a DPR is being prepared by the IIT, Madras. The project will be opened for private partnership shortly after the DPR is received. Initially, it will have a container terminal as well. However, when the cruise activity is taken up on the full scale, it will be a full-fledged cruise port, which will connect cruises to Sri Lanka, Mauritius, the Gulf areas and also Europe. Already leading cruise operators have shown interest in the project, he explained.

He said islands in Uttara Kannada --- Kurumgad, Madhyalingad, Kangiguda, Mongerguda, Hog, Kiri Kinda-Alvekodi and Ankani Cheggudu --- have been identified for development with subject to CRZ regulation. The islands in DK and Udupi are being studied for development. Under the shoreline management plan, DPR is being prepared for each coastal district to mitigate sea erosion. As per the DPR, shoreline protection works will be
taken up.