Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Oct 12: "The city's old port is in a pathetic state. The estuary of the old port is filled with sand. The port should have 4 meters of water but due to the presence of sand only 1.9 meters of water is available, hence ships cannot enter. Several people at the old port depend on employment on the port for their livelihood. The state government has sanctioned Rs 1 crore for the work. The sand needs to be desilted," said MLA J R Lobo at a press meet he addressed at Congress office here on Wednesday October 12.

"Many instances of capsized boats and untoward incidents have been reported. Mangaluru has no proper rescue operations. We must depend on the neighbouring state Goa for highly advanced equipment like helicopters for our rescue operations. Hence with this in mind, I have written to DC to hold a meeting with the coast guards, naval officers, fisheries department to possess an advanced rescue operations team with sophisticated equipment," Lobo added.

"The state government has also sanctioned Rs 200 lac for a retaining wall at Bengre. In the III phase of extension of the fishing port, the state government has already spent Rs 55 crore, but the grant of Rs 35 crore from the union government has been delayed. The state government has also sanctioned Rs 2.5 crore towards construction of a bridge and road," said the MLA.

"The union territory of Lakshadweep has sanctioned Rs 70 crore towards construction of a dedicated berth for Lakshadweep vessels at the Old Port at Bunder. In order to gain momentum for work to commense, a commission consisting of officers and MLA will be visiting Lakshadweep to implement the project early enough." Lobo explained.

"We are also thinking of developing fresh fish, a dry fish center and a fish market at State Bank along with a National Fisheries Development Board." he concluded.

T K Sudhir, Denis D'Silva, Anildas and others were present at the meet.