Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Dec 18: Union minister for road transport, highways and shipping, Nitin Gadkari, has instructed to begin construction of LNG terminal at New Mangalore Port Trust here urgently and complete the entire process by 2017. He gave this direction when addressing a progress review meeting held in the city during his visit to the city on December 15.

He said this would bring down production cost of chemical fertilizers, which in turn will reduce burden of government subsidy. In addition, farmers would be able to get urea at lower rates, he explained.

"Mechanization of coal berth at the port here should be started and completed in 2016. Discussions should be held with railways and state government about the satellite port near Belekeri. This port will help industries in Ballari, Hosapete, Raichur, Dharwad etc as railway facility is available via Ankola," he said.

A release from New Mangalore Port Trust said that the minister also asked the officials to implement the report of Boston Consulting Grou about improvement of port's productivity.