Daijiworld News Network - Mangalore - Pics Dayanand Kukkaje

Mangalore, Oct 5: After the success of the 'Mission Mangalore Airport', said Rajesh Sequeira, co-ordinator of Karnataka NRI Forum, 'Our immediate goal is connecting flight and direct flights to Mangalore from other centres of the Gulf'.

Speaking at a press conference in the Mangalore Press Club on Thursday, October 5 evening, Rajesh thanked all the people who helped the cause of Dubai - Mangalore direct flight.

New Medical Centre UAE chairman Dr B R Shetty, Daijiworld editor-in-chief Walter Nandalike, Mangalore Konkans UAE president James Mendonca, Kanara Entrepreneurs Limited UAE  president Jerome Saldanha and UAE Exchange general manager Sudhir Shetty were present at the press conference.

Walter Nandalike, Jerome Saldanha, Rajesh Sequeira, Dr B R Shetty, James Mendonca and Sudhir Shetty at the press conference

Dr Shetty spoke at length of a master plan for Mangalore which included a project to build a bridge next to the terminal building under which a railway station will be built. This would enable air passengers to alight and immediately travel by train. Another feature of the master plan would be to build a 'Mangalore Ring Road' from Ullal to Sasihitlu, via Bengare, Sultan Battery, Tannirbavi, Panambur and Suratkal. The Sheikhs of UAE have shown keen interest in investing in this project. This was a way of showing one's gratitude and attachment to one's native place, he added.

Dr Shetty further promised to promote the produce of undivided Dakshina Kannada like jasmine and vegetables so that they would reach the Gulf countries within hours as as result of the introduction of a direct flight to Dubai.

Rajesh Sequeira and Dr B R Shetty

Kanara Entrepreneurs Limited president Jerome Saldanha spoke of the proposed Mangalore International City on a 50-acre plot near Deralakatte on the outskirts of the city at an initial  cost of Rs 50 crore. Various infrastructure like IT and BT would come under this project, he said.

Earlier, Rajesh Sequeira, as one took keen interest in pursuing the project devoting a large amount of energy, own funds and time and resources, said May 3, 2006 was indeed a very memorable day for every Mangalorean as the Mangalore airport achieved the status of Customs clearance. Exactly 5 months later, once again it was yet another day of rejoicing when the first international flight lands directly from Dubai on the home land sweet homeland of Mangalore.
 
This long and ardent journey, or struggle one could say, also began precisely on September 3, 2004 – the day when the Karnataka NRI Forum was launched in Dubai mainly to pursue this cause. Ever since the forum is continuously taking up almost on day-to-day basis with various agencies like the Ministry of civil aviation, Airport Authority of India, Principal Secretary of infrastructure, Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the local government authorities and politicians. These, needless to say, have added the required momentum in seeing the end of the tunnel and a long-cherished dream of Mangaloreans and our neighbourly fellow-passengers from Kasargod and Kannur finally coming true.
 
All this was made possible due to the silent and relentless support of the efficient airport director, M R Vasudeva  and his whole team who have cooperated.  Vasudeva has  left no stone unturned towards the realization of this mission. He has indeed played a very vital rold in pursuing this task. It was his initiative and drive that has seen through and added lustre to the moves of KNRIF which has triggered off speedy action in the matter that followed later.