Udupi: Rs 50 crore set aside for Hejamady port project - Sorake

Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SM)

Udupi, Jul 27: State urban development minister and Udupi district incharge Vinay Kumar Sorake on Saturday July 27 announced that the state government has allotted Rs 50 crore for the development of Hejamady port.

Speaking to reporters during his visit, Sorake said that the project needs Rs 100 crore, of which Rs 50 crore has been allotted in this year's budget. "We will start with the breakwater and as and when the project progresses, we will improve upon it," he said.

"The project has been undertaken jointly by the state and central governments and will be executed by CITF, which will take care of all the necessary work," he added.

"Earlier the port used to be an important trade centre but after the development of the national highway, road transport became the major medium for carrying out trade. Still, we need to give importance to port development and hence Congress has come up with this Rs 100-crore project," Sorake said.

"The development of the Hejamady port has been long-cherished dream of the people here," he said.

The project will include development of the port, setting up of jetty, yard, gearset etc. It will be located 2.3 km away from Hejamady Kodi.

Vijay Bangera, one of the locals, pointed out thati if importance is given to develop Hejamady, people of Kaup, Padubidri, Suratkal and others places too will benefit. "We had earlier requested the BJP government to develop Hajamady port, and they promised it too. Now with Congress government executing the project, our wish is getting fulfilled," he said, thanking the government.

Sorake further said that the state government has increased funds for the development of fisheries road from Rs 6 crore to Rs 30 crore, housing loan for fishermen from Rs 60,000 to Rs 1,20,000, provision of kerosene from 150 litres to 400 litres and with women empowerment in view, reduced the percentage of interest on loans up to Rs one lac to women from 4 percent to 2 percent.

He lauded fisheries minister Abhayachandra Jain, CM Siddaramaiah and the government for making these allowances to the fishermen community.

On the issue of CRZ, he said had discussed it with forest minister Ramanath Rai and that Karnataka should be implementing the same regulations as Goa and Kerala.

Sorake also informed that the state government in its budget has alloted Rs 275 crore for the construction of permanent walls to prevent sea erosion at Tenka Yermal, Hejamady, Uliyargoli, Udyavar and Padubidri.

He also visited UPCL and held discussions with the locals about problems related to approach road, power line, drinking water and employment. Regarding UPCL breakwater which is said to be causing sea erosion, he asked the officials to furnish a report and if the allegation is found to be true, he would ask UPCL to remove it or go for an alternative.