Nithya, Mangalore

The problem with the capitalists is they are cockroaches,they just sneak if given a small space.MSEZ is 3800 acres and PCPIR will acquire 79,000 acres.This is nothing but killing one rich culture.Please oppose this.Kindly support the Anti PCPIR movement by joining the orkut community. http://www.orkut.co.in/Community.aspx?cmm=49892380

Ramesh Salian, Mangalore

Nothing in the world is more dangerous than a sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity. - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Krishna, Bangalore

As per me, there are three types of environmentalists in the current world: ideal environmentalists, practical environmentalists and pseudo environmentalists. The ideal environmentalists are the one who wear hand made khadi like Gandhi, walk miles barefoot like him without using any modern vehicles (which causes environmental hazards by producing poisonous gases), and do not use any of electrical appliances. The practical environmentalists are the one who like Nehru believe that industries should be the modern temples of this country and industries should be built with proper safeguards. And then pseudo environmentalists who want to use all the products produced in modern industries but are opposite of establishing any of such industries in their beloved land.

Of course, a long back there was a group of people who lived as a part of nature without bungling environment, they never constructed houses, temples, churches and mosques by felling trees or burnt forest for cultivation, and they were called cave dwellers and could be called the real environmentalists. My grand mother used to say that tigers and cheetahs used to visit our house at the heart of Udupi city and later people destroyed the nature and made it city inspite of my grand mother being sad.

The government has already invested so much on seaport, airport, railways, highways, etc in Tulunadu and wants to utilize these facilities for manufacturing the products beneficial for the whole country. Why these pseudo environmentalists did not oppose while the government started developing this place as a futuristic industrial zone itself? Do they mean government bribing itself for getting environment clearance for MSEZ phase-I project? (as the main stakeholder ONGC is owned by the government).

One can also ask questions like whether these pseudo environmentalists, making allegation of bribery on government, media, etc, are really concerned about the environment or are they creating groups to get themselves bribed? Or are they already bribed by beedi and kallabhatti lobbies which would loose their business if people get decent jobs? (phase-II is supposed to generate a lot of jobs and mostly non-petroleum like garments, automobiles, software, etc. and at least children of beedi labourers may get better jobs.)

 If they are so concerned about environment why not they get converted over to ideal environmentalism and stop using all industrial outputs? Why not these environmentalists leave in the way shown by Gandhi apart from protesting like Munnabhai? I think, the only way out for the government is to declare lands, except for lands already identified as Industry Zones, as permanent Industry-Free-Zones (Agriculture and Horticulture, Tourism, Fisheries, Healthcare and Education Zones as per Mangalore MLA Mr. Yogish Bhat’s vision) and let these environmentalists to settle there merrily forever.

Alfred D'souza, Bikernakatta / Dubai

Having seen the beauty of Mangalore right from my childhood .. living amongst the best greenery belt of India, it pains to see the disappearing Greenlands of Mangalore. People who are familiar with the chosen MSEZ area will know what that land means to the people. Flattan the barren hills for development do not destroy the heartland. We plead.

Krishnanand, Mangalore

There are three types of lies- Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics. The MSEZ is stating that only 28 percent land is Agricultural land. That means they claim that other 72 percent is barren. The whole project seems to be built on the edifice of Goebbels Truth!

It may be true that they did not have to pay bribes. When more than one are involved in such systematic transgression of rights and falsification process why they should pay each other in such joint operations? Any way the SEZ - the Special Exploitaion Zones- are to be handed over to industrialsits who will take care of everything in return for freebies being rolled out to them at the Taxpayer's expense.

Rammohan, Puttur

If one wants Mangalore to develop and provide employment to many, the project becomes inevitable, but the people who lose land should not only be immediately compensated in cash the market price  as is prevalent in the area now( not illusory Govt Fixed Low price) but be given land elsewhere nearby for settling. Regarding environment, we find how in other respects utter disregard is shown, by levelling natural hills, cutting down trees.

R Bhandarkar PRO MSEZL, Mangalore

Comments on message sent by Gilroy Mangalore 1.MSEZL has published the environmental clearance and the copy of the same is available with the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board Office in Mangalore, or with the Ministry of Environment and Forest. These are documents available to public on request since October 2007. 2. The details of the environment survey were published and copies were provided to all the three levels of local administration and a hearing was conducted with DC as chairman at Bajpe in Nov-2007. Further there was a hearing from the Ministry of Environment and Forest in Feb 2008 along with a site survey with the affected people. 3. The allegations are not based on truth. Nowhere has MSEZL proclaimed that entire acquired land is barren. It is very much mentioned in the report that nearly 28% is Agricultural land, out of which Prime Agricultural Land is hardly 7%, whereas below 10% is permitted to enable get contiguity. Comments on Message sent by Nandakumar, Udupi/ Bengaluru As a Govt Project MSEZL cannot pay any bribe to officials and moreover the application submitted is transparent as well as in specified manner.

R Bhandarkar. PRO- MSEZL, Mangalore

The Project Displaced Families(PDF) in connection with Mangalore Special Economic Zone will be taken care of as per the R&R policy approved by Govt. of Karnataka. In the infancy stage, MSEZL has made efforts and has facilitated employment of 16 persons from the PDFs in various positions in MRPL on priority basis.

The R&R package drawn for the project displaced is one of the best in the industry & can be cross checked with the beneficiaries. Priority will be for PDFs & already 2 semisters are getting over for 234 students getting educated at KPT for 21/2 years in chemical, Mechanical, electronics and Electricals. Fresh batch for those who have passed at SSLC this year getting commenced shortly.

Deep, Mulki

I wonder how people equate money with the green land? Answer to this yourself. Do you want Mangalore to be crowded? Do you want Mangalore to be a hub of terrorist, underworld, criminal activities? Do you like to see people struggling every day starting from 'catching the train/bus and returning to home' the way people in Mumbai do? Do you want to live in a temperature which Gujarath has now?

Remember one thing, Whatever be the compensation, ultimately you have to eat rice and drink water, not the money. Let us not show typical Indian attitude 'waking up at the last moment when it's too late'.

Naaz, Mangalore

Yes .. some people will support this project even if their land goes... and says its for national interest.. but these people do not know that this project is not for national interest... its a self interest project.. once the project completes, then these people will come to know what problem they have created by allowing these project holders to run the project..

R Bhandarkar, PRO-MSEZL

Comments on July 4 message sent by Ramesh Salian on MSEZL and the concerned 15.34 acre land at Kudubi Padavu. MSEZL had requested for acquisition of nearly 4000 acres of which KIADB had split into various land parcels encompassing various villages.

Hence Phase 1 and Phase 2 are not our creations. MSEZL does not envisage scenes and act them out because there is absolutely no need to. Karnataka Govt.28(1)gazette Notification of the 15.34 acres land at Kudubi Padavu was done in May 2007 and therefore it is not correct to mention that proper notice was not served before acquisition.The MSEZL has already made it clear that the concerned community would not be evicted.

RIZWAN AHAMED, PUNAROOR

I support these project, even if my land goes. This is in our national interest. Only my request is authorities should compensate properly to the market value.

Ababitha, Bantwal / Dubai

I agree with Flavian, Banglore if it was invested in tourism related activites, Mangalore will be a beautiful place.

Patel, Permude

My only question is did Florine talk to local people like us who are losing their homes because of this project? before writing this article, please visit local people and talk to them and understand what is real problem. I know many people who already signed papers and lost their home/land for small amount paid by authority of which it is impossible to build even small house........

Walter Lobo, Kalavar, Bajpe/Boston,USA

Using Google arial photos we watch the development for Mangalore SEZ with great interest. I am one of the specie uprooted from my native place Kalavar. While I left the native place long ago and spared the pain, I yearned improvements in that area even while I was attending the elementary school when the roads were being cut for the first bus to arrive.

Today, I experience the adverse impact on many family members and neighbors with the advance of this Mangalore SEZ project. The place is not habitable due to MRPL smoke, smell of gasoline and harmful fumes MSEZ is the only way out of that area. No doubt, I embrace the development whole heartedly, in spite of destruction of many families with false lawsuits, bribes, and kickbacks. From a distance, I have seen victims of this MSEZ.

While KIDB has done well, they also have done great harm however, for the good of the country, region, and our younger generation, we support this project. KIDB has made promises to settle the impacted people in Kulie town with decent living standards, and to provide at least one employment for each uprooted family to lessen the impact.

These promises must prevail and are great beginnings in the modernization of the area by including local younger generation to participate in the development of MSEZ. As long as, KIDB complies with its promises, we welcome this project and extend our best wishes for a successful MSEZ.

gurubaliga, Bantwal/NewDelhi

Ms. Pavitra's comment "how much have they fed the media to harp about the benefits of SEZ" is not in good taste. Media played a major role in supporting environmentalists in DK.

Francis-Mangalore, Mangalore - Attavar

Its true in China for rural development and building skycrappers the farmers were beaten up snd driven forcibily for developing by Real estate mafia's. I am much worried about the poor people of Mangalore . The beautiful City with Village green look will be destroyed for ever. But GOD the creater will not allow this to happen . The industrialist and Corrupt politician will be punished for moving out the Temples, Church, mosque schools and people from this land.

Mr pai who speaks of lot of beneifit should be an outsider bribed by Someone to give wrong picture of this project to divert the minds of People. Mangaloreans should raise thier voice wihout fear as it was done in Nandigram / kolkotta.

Francis-Mangalore, Mangalore - Attavar

Its true in China for rural development and building skycrappers the farmers were beaten up snd driven forcibily for developing by Real estate mafia's. I am much worried about the poor people of Mangalore . The beautiful City with Village green look will be destroyed for ever. But GOD the creater will not allow this to happen .

The industrialist and Corrupt politician will be punished for moving out the Temples, Church, mosque schools and people from this land. Mr pai who speaks of lot of beneifit should be an outsider bribed by Someone to give wrong picture of this project to divert the minds of People. Mangaloreans should raise thier voice wihout fear as it was done in Nandigram / kolkotta.

Pavitra , Bangalore/Mangalore

It is a 50,000 crore investment project of which 14,000 crores investment will be to develop port-based coastal activity.

1) My point here is how much have they fed the media to harp about the benefits of SEZ? It is expected to generate about 4,000 to 5,000 direct employments in the 1st phase of the project which may go up to 50,000 when the project gets completed.

2)Agreed it will generate the employment projected. who are the beneficiaries? Is there any preference given to Kannidagas and the displaced whenever opportunities raise as per their qualifications and criteria? About 800 families from the acquired land of 1800 are displaced of which 250 have been rehabilitated at the resettlement colony in Kulai and Thokur.

3)Where and how are they planning to re-locate the rest of the families since only 1/3rd of them are settled. What about the rest? Will the commencement of the project the concerned will disown the rest? The Company has begun the basic preparations for the same by providing planned roads to provide access to industries under the target zones within the SEZ”.

4) MSEZL was incorporated in 2006 with the single purpose of developing Mangalore SEZ, so as to provide a fillip to the economic growth of Dakshina Kannada District.

5) I totally disagree only the rich and mighty will be mightier in any case the industrialists earn in millions and just in case they spend mere thousands of rupees the press will be called to harp about their donations and some dirty minister will come with their fan following to inaugurate the Rs. 10,000/- bus stop or one drinking water filter. DISGUSTING! the project will give a fillip to the economic activity of this coastal area. The entire state will be benefited in the long run and piped gas and clean power to the entire state will soon become a reality”.

6)Are they giving power and fuel for free, ok forget it are they giving it at some subsidized price? about 33% of the 3985 acres of the project land is earmarked for the development of green belt. Thousands of trees of appropriate species will be planted to grow and develop sustainable green cover to nullify or minimize environmental hazards that might be caused by implementing the project”

 7)Then why acquire so much leave it at what it is. Once the project commences MR. Prasad you think you will be still in the position to give the same statement? MSEZ authorities however, argue that environmental clearance would not have been accorded by the Central and State governments until they are fully satisfied after the exhaustive studies by various independent bodies.

 8)Paisa feko tamasha dekho rather I must say who are the state machineries? Corrupt politicians who make quick bucks out of such situations? 

Deep, Mulki

SEZ s will end up in series of irreversible impacts like increase in population, crime rate, insufficient labour class, and the most important one "DRINKING WATER CRISIS". Manglore is entirely different from Bangalore from every perspective and you cant afford to develope to that extent. These SEZs will ultimately wipe out DK and Udupi districts.

It is not too late as of now, protest should span every corner of the district. One message to the people who support "YOU ARE FREE TO EXPRESS YOUR VIEWS, BUT DONT REPENT TOMORROW, YOU GOT NO RIGHTS EVEN TO REPENT". Only GOD should save Mangalore.

Vinod Karkal, Karkal

The whole project MSEZ is totally rubbish. It's only the development of HAVES and never of the have nots. If the MSEZ realised the displaced poor farmers will certainly become POORER. Oh Almightly God please open the eyes of all the MSEZ fake developmentalists.

Naaz, mangalore

Nothing to say except...."Shame on Government"

Rudolph Narona, Dubai

It is not only important to resist the project in the initial phase, but also to be monitotred by the env groups so that all the requirments of the environment clearances are met. Normally there are hundreds of conditions which are difficult to meet. I request the people to check the actual implimentation of the conditions every month

Surathkal Usman Hyder, Surathkal - beach(born) now in 6th Block

I love Surathkal-Mangalore. News of development is a good news but my lovely surathkal might loose its almighty gift of great beauty!!! it attracted arab race settled here known as Baharis and Maphillas who had link with business from day of king Vikramadhitya ruling....until Tippu the great determined courage to stop the external force to win the land. God may bless us to go forward with the development without surrendering our natural beauty and courage to maintain the same.

Abdul Malik, Mangalore/KSA

You will find those people who sacrificed their lands got promise of livelihood in front of DC Office Mangalore

William, Bajpe

Real things are happening not with the interest of the public but someone somewhere is going to fill the pockets and increase his bank balance....at whose cost? Shame....

Johnson Coutinho, Palimar/Mira road

Concept of SEZ is originated from China and India is copying the same. We both are developing countries in different stages of development and different political systems. To compare both countries does not do justice to its people. We try to outdo each other boasting who is better in the future. There is no right or wrong way to develop a country, whatever works is good enough. In the end, societies should be judged by their ability to provide food, shelter, education, health, a clean environment and a sense of community and purpose in life to all its citizens.

Rose Marie, Mangalore/Mumbai

The Government promises rehabilitation & resettlement package to the displaced from MSEZ. What is the fate of those who live in the MRPL area, prior to acquisition of their land? How many of those and the other locals are employed in MRPL? There is substantial crowd from elsewhere and not just the locals. Is MSEZ going to provide employment on preferential basis to the locals and take care of their resettlement or face the same fate as that of MRPL?

Jossie Mendonca, Niddodi/Dubai

In the article above Mr. INS Prasad (CEO of the MSEZ) is saying, "The farmer is free to refuse the terms offered if negotiations are not satisfactory". Over the last couple of weeks & months Daijiworld, The Hindu, Deccan Herald have all reported cases of the villagers being threatned with buldozing of their houses.

Being given legal papers at very short-notice in English when they can't even read and write anything and asked to sign them etc etc. What's the truth? As Gilroy has mentioned above, an independent authority should probe the environmental impact. We can't trust state agencies. Bangalore was a wonderful & lovely city just a few years ago and now....... so called development (and corrupt civic officials hand-in-glove with the greedy builders) have ruined the city. And this is after the growth being driven by non-polluting IT industries. MSEZ is planning to expand MRPL, set-up oil product derivatives industries, underground storage of hazardous chemicals and more......

MICHAEL, KINNIGOLI

Gods gift to Mangalore is, Its splendid Original Natural beauty. Its in no man's Island to acquire. Govt should note that its disturbing and health hazard to the humanity in and around the vicinity. Thus shift it to the remote areas the idea of SEZ concept.

Gilroy, Mangalore

It is so sarcastic that the article glorifies the beautiy of Mangalore in the pictures, but explains news of its destruction. Let us unite to protect it from special interests like real estate developers, corrupt politicians and opportunists.

Gilroy, Mangalore

My simple question to those who boast of approval to MSEZ,is "do you know how it feels to leave everything, which is in your family from ancestors, and relocate to absolutely unknown place?" No wonder, naxalites are slowly being supported in the District by totally digusted localites at the indiffernce shown by the politicians towards the plight of the innocents. Politicians are sowing the seeds of violence and disharmony in the name of MSEZ.

MSEZ should be stopped enovironmental clearance report should be made public. people to be displaced should know who signed the approval letter of Environmental clearance thereby passing the death sentence to the inncoent people and the prestine environment. People should also also have the right to know how did the environmental survey was taken.

The native villagers say that no one visited their agricultural land. The bribed officials just flew over some inhabitated land and thought that the village is a waste land. let there be a new survey by WHO officiated, free third party Environmental survey. Do not relocate the innocent people, who are leading healthy life in a peaceful and better environment.

Ronald Pinto, Mangalore

Mangalore SEZ is both good and bad news. The Good news is that Mangalore needs development, which will create jobs, since most of them, are dependant on Gulf, and the opportunities and savings in Gulf, is fast diminishing, and unlike olden days, the new breed will have plenty of job opportunities in Mangalore and will be with their families.

The bad news is that unless the Government compensates the landowners, and provide them with suitable housing, and jobs for living, the purpose of SEZ will be defeated. Regards, Ronald Pinto

Avinash, Kinnigoli/Nottingham U.k

I think all the SEZ authorities dreaming like FOOLS!!!! Its not thier ancesstoral property to invest on anybodys mother land and anybodys childhood dreams. People should be carefull because end of the day after loosing our motherland, we dont know where they give us shelter, or not? Listen you all SEZ Authorities and involvers, 'Whatever are our villages, they are so beautifull. so dont disturb and leave us and come out from your dreams'.

R.Pai, Mangalore

Excellent points by other readers. - Since the infrastructure sucks anyways, it's only going get worse. - Add more health related issues what we already have (like Chickengoonya!) - Such a large investment for creating only 2500 jobs? If they invest it on infrastructure and focus on tourism, we can do another 'kerala' story! - Finally, why do they always start such massive projects right next to one of the biggest cities in the state? Have they lost their mind?

GANESH NAYAK, MANGALORE/LONDON

Really it's fantastic project... hope all projects will come as mentioned in Media.

Max & Jessie Rasquinha, Mangalore/Houston, Tx

Regardless of all the initial obstacles and contraversies that are surfacing on the Special Economic Zone for Mangalore, the SEZ concept is indeed a new beginning and new awakening of the future for Mangalore. We shall be on the world map of Industry and Technology. We shall be creating an opportunity for a "Broadway" for our future generation. We must therefore wholeheartedly encourage all our Leaders and Entrepreneurs to follow the pathway of progress and help our home town move forward well for the 21st century.

Tanveer, Mangalore

Thats it!! Another Bangalore in the making.I am sure this is going to generate a lot of revenue,employement etc...well thats it, nothing more, nothing less,..... but nothing will improve.The city would get over crowded, greenery would be only in the parks, rents will sky rocket,traffic would increase, roads are bad anyways. Thats exactly what happens to all the so called cities. God bless Mangalore.

flavian, banaglore

An investment of 15,000 crores to generate employment for 2500 people !!!!!if the same was invested in tourism related activties we could have generated employment for atleast a million and still maintianed the beauty of mangalore.

Patrick, Mangalore/Dubai

Anything is possible in India with money power. In other developed countries (eg. in UAE itself), the Industrial and Free Trade Zones are far away from city, and not meant to disturb residential areas. However, the MSEZ is within residential limits which is WRONG!! Besides,who will benefit from so called jobs being created in the process. Can someone guarantee or show proof of jobs being created as indicated in the article !! I do encourage development but not at the cost of THROWING out poor & illiterate residents.

Nandakumar, Udupi/Bengaluru

If you bribe officials it is easy to possess the environment clearance in India. Who cares? The concept of SEZ is snatching the right to Living of the people