Daijiworld Media Network- Mangalore (KM/RD)
Mangalore, Nov 16: MSEZ is not a bane rather it is boon to the region. MSEZ is the fruit of extensive research and depth study conducted prioritizing the interest of locals, said A G Pai, chief operating officer (COO), MSEZ, on the occasion.
He was addressing the media persons at the Exim Centre of Kanara Chambers of Commerce and Industry at Bunder here on Thursday November 15 evening.
MSEZ will certainly attribute to national exchequer and can improve the socio-economic conditions of the region. It would definitely promote small scale industries of the region. It would also generate adequate numbers of jobs to the Mangloreans, he added.
He further said that that media need to update themselves on this burning issue and requested to publish the right data prior to the environmental public hearing scheduled to be held on November 29.
Explaining the process of land acquisition for MSEZ, Pai said that only 5% of the total land is really used for cultivation whereas 3% in fallow and 10% agricultural land while 75% of the land to be acquired is non-agricultural, he added. As of now, 1,721 acres of land has been transferred and the process will be completed by March 2008, he added.
The state government has given heed to the maintenance of highways in the state. Tenders have been called on time to start the maintenance work. This time, many measures like 'weigh-in-motion technique' and not entertaining the proposal of mere re-asphalting of roads have been taken up, in order to ensure the durability as well as maintenance of roads, especially national highways, Gopal S, executive engineer, National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), Mangalore Division informed media persons here.
He was briefing media persons on the steps taken to ensure good quality and long lasting roads in Udupi ,Dakshina Kannada and other districts during the 'meeting with officials' of NHAI and Mangalore Special Economic Zone (MSEZ) held at KCCI Annexe Complex, near Chamber Building here on Thursday November 15.
Lorries over-loaded with iron ore have been the root of the problem. If this is effectively controlled, then the maintenance of the roads would be cakewalk, he added.
The request has been submitted to higher and concerned departments, to provide a police inspector, three constables, a legal advisor and a computer operator for every hundred kilometers of distance, he added.
M Ahmed Bava, treasurer, Kumble Narasimha Prabhu, president and other office bearers of KCCI were present on the occasion.