Pics: Joshwa D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (PMD)

Mangaluru, Nov 2: Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) hosted an interactive meeting with deputy commisioner of Dakshina Kannada district Dr K G Jagadeesh for KCCI members on 'Issues and concerns of the district' here on Wednesday, November 2.

KCCI president Jeevan Saldanha concisely presented a memorandum on behalf of KCCI, outlining the issues and concerns of the district, from the perspective of trade, commerce and industry of the district, for consideration by the chief guest. Some of the broader aspects of focus in promoting 'Brand Mangaluru' were manufacture, tourism and IT sectors, the infrastructure of the city, alongside employment generation.

Jeevan Saldanha further enlisted the civic issues in the city that also pose as a hurdle for the smooth functioning of the local economy, such as the road traffic issues, railway developments, airport facilities and amenities that needs intervention. KCCI strongly opposed the proposal of handing over all cargo operations of berth number eight at NMPT, to one vendor. It recommended the development of the Old Mangalore Port for marine purposes. President Saldanha lastly focussed on possible effective water management methods for the district, and concluded the proposal with hope for a better Mangaluru.

Dr Jagadeesh, addressing the 75-year-old KCCI, said that countries, at this point in time, are gauged by their economic might. The industrial and commercial entities bring economic prosperity and thus, revenue to finance the social sector and welfare schemes. He agreed with the potential in tourism in Mangaluru, and assured a meeting on November 16 to discuss the same, adding that an investors' meet will be convened in Bengaluru soon.

Regarding traffic issues, he said that infrastructure needs to keep pace with the growing city. The city will soon witness the expansion of the runway at the airport. Regarding development in railway, overbridges are ready to be built, he said. The Old Mangalore Port needs a new approach rather than marginal mending. Addressing water management methods, he said, the district received 3,500 mm of rainfall, one of the highest in the country. "Yet, there is scarcity of water. Paschima Vahini Yojane is reportedly a good proposal, a comprehensive irrigation plan aimed to meet the drinking water needs," he said.

He further added, "It's been three months into my tenure, and I have been asked what my plan for the district is. My plan is to understand what the people want and make it a reality. KCCI plan is a good blueprint, and a comprehensive one."

Further commenting on the state of affairs regarding Swacch Bharath, he said, "It is a mass movement that the public is equally a part of. Households must segregate waste."

Addressing a question by a KCCI member on the development of the Lady Goshen Hoptal, he said, "We require an additional Rs 10 crore to make it fully functional. We have Rs 3 to 4 crore. The health minister has assured Rs 6 crore. Thus, by February, the hospital will be completed and started."

On the development of Wenlock Hospital, he said, since it caters to the needs of people 7-8 districts of both Karnataka and Kerala, he has requested the state health minister to announce it as a regional hospital and thus, to get more funds and facilities.

The DC focussed on the issue of foothpaths and drainage and said, "We make the roads and then dig them for various other purposes. We are working to ensure there is no cross digging of the roads. Pipelines will be placed adjacent to the roads rather than beneath them, completely setting aside the current system that has been in place since 1968. As the city grows the requirements of people grow. Construction of new drainage system will start in February. A consultant will be approached for laying the tunnel for the new pipeline."

On the current shortage of funds for the drainage system, an irrigation project proposal will be drafted and sent to the union government to garner more funds. This will also cater to drinking water shortage. ADB phase one focussed on facilitating drinking water to the city and the underground drainage (UGD), he said, adding, "The phase two looks into construction of new underground drainage system to cover the structural drawback of phase one of 2003-2013, which used a laterite-brickstone combination. This will be replaced by concrete manholes," the DC said.

On developments on Smart City project, the DC said, "The nodal agency will be the city corporation. The project is a five-year plan. First step is to create a special purpose vehicle (SPV), which is formed and DPR is under way. The ground level work will start in 8 months."

Agreeing to consider suggestions by the KCCI members and lauding their constructive remarks, the DC concluded the interactive session.

KCCI president Jeevan Saldanha welcomed the chief guest Dr Jagadeesh, and termed him an 'action-oriented DC'. Vice-president of KCCI Vathika Pai introduced the chief guest to the gathering. Former president of KCCI and chairman of Platinum Jubilee Committee, KCCI, Srinivas S Kamath gave an overview of the platinum jubilee celebration. He traced the key developments in trade in the district, over time. He lauded Mangaluru further, "1% of the taxes collected in the country come from Mangaluru," he said. He also recounted the genesis and formation of the KCCI.

Former president of KCCI and chairman of Platinum Jubilee Souvenir Committee of KCCI, Capt John Prasad Menezes presented the first copy of the Platinum Jubilee Souvenir, KCCI coffee table book to the deputy commissioner, for release.

Secretary of KCCI, Praveen Kumar Kalbavi, proposed the vote of thanks.