Pact with central agency to develop tourism in rivers Kabini, Sharavathi

New Delhi: Union Minister for Ports and Shipping Sarbananda Sonowal said that Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), an autonomous organisation under Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka for the development of River Kabini and River Sharavathi.

The tender for carrying out the Environmental Impact Assessment & Environmental Management plan has been floated for taking up development of floating jetties and navigational aids, the minister said in his written reply.

Replying to Uttara Kannada MP Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri question, the Minister said Karnataka has a total 12 declared National Waterways.

Road widening

Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has said that 4-laning of Mala Gate to Karkala stretch of NH-169 on Shivamogga -Mangaluru section will be completed by February next year.

“The work of four-laning of Mala gate to Karkala stretch of NH-169 on Shivamogga-Mangaluru section was sanctioned for an amount of Rs 177.94 crore on 30.03.2022 and the same is in progress with present physical progress of 65 per cent. The work is scheduled to be completed in February 2025,” the minister said in a written reply.

The work of two-laning of NH 169A on Agumbe Ghat has been included in Annual Plan 2024-25, the minister said in his written answer to a question by Udupi-Chikmagalur MP Kota Srinivas Poojary.

Jan Aushadhi Kendras 

Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Anupriya Patel said that during the last five financial year (FY 2019-20 to FY 2023-24), 814 Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) have been opened and 145 JAKs have been closed till 30th November this year in the state. 

Answering Bangalore Central Lok Sabha member P C Mohan, the minister said it is estimated that on a daily basis 10-12 lakhs consumers buy medicines from more than 14,300 Jan Aushadhi Kendras spread across the country.

In the last three financial years, total Rs. 21.23 Crore have been disbursed as incentive to JAKs in Karnataka.