Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi  (SS/HB)

Udupi, Apr 4: Minister for Large and Medium Scale Industries Murugesh Nirani said the revival of the Brahmavar Sugar Factory seems to be highly infeasible due to poor sugarcane produce in Udupi.

Speaking at an interactive meet with the members of the Udupi Chamber of Commerce and Industry here on Monday, April 4, he said Karnataka being the second largest producer of sugarcane, if anyone comes forward to start a sugar factory, the government will provide financial assistance with concessions.

“As I have seen that the paddy fields were converted into areca nut farms, it would be difficult to convert them back into sugarcane fields. The cultivation of sugarcane is over now as it is dependent on the climatic conditions and also cultivation of the crop needs minimum land requirement,” he said.

In the Coastal region, the percentage of recovery of sugarcane is as low as 90 kgs a ton while in Mysuru region it is 90-100 kgs a ton and 120-125 kgs a ton in Uttara Kannada and about 100-110 kgs a ton in Central Karnataka, the minister said.

He said a minimum of 5,000 acres of land is required to cultivate sugarcane and ethanol can be produced using sugarcane juice adding that 70 litres of ethanol can be made using one ton of sugarcane.

Nirani said about 1000 acres of land has been earmarked to establish an industrial area in Balkunje, out of which 145 acres belongs to the government. He said within the next three to five months an industrial zone will be carved out. Similarly, around 250 acres of land is earmarked at Kota, Udupi district, which is located near National Highway for developing another industrial area.

Nirani said the travel distance between Bengaluru  and  Mangaluru will be reduced by 30-40 kms.

A proposal will be sent to the government to establish a port at Ganholli. Bengaluru - Mangaluru Industrial corridor will be set up. For that, Union Government has released Rs 1000 crore, said Minister Nirani.

Andaru Deviprasad Shetty, president, Udupi Chamber of Commerce and Industry delivered the keynote address.

The Chamber members put forth their ideas and proposals during their interaction with Nirani.

Raghupathi Bhat, MLA Udupi, Manohar Kalmady, president, Udupi Urban Development Authority, Mattaru Ratnakar Hegde, president, Coastal Development Authority, Vijayendra Shenoy, secretary, UCCI, Prashant Baliga, Punam Shetty, president, POWER and others were present.