Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Jul 12: Mangalore South MLA N Yogish Bhat, speaking to the media after inaugurating his office at the city corporation building at Lalabagh here on Friday July 11, said that the construction of the new vented dam for catering to the drinking water requirements of the city will start in November this year. The government has sanctioned the entire cost of Rs 40 crore required for this dam and all procedures including tenders, preparation of detailed estimates etc., will be completed by then, he explained.

Plans are afoot to build a marine park and golf course at Tannirbavi with private participation to attract tourism, the MLA informed. But the fact that many areas that have the potential to be developed into tourist attractions are covered under the Coastal Management Zone is making the task harder. Gujjarakere near Jeppu is planned to be developed at a cost of two crore rupees. A new building will be built for the government first grade college at Car Street in the city, by spending Rs 75 lac. Bhat added, that he has asked the government to constitute an authority for the exclusive development of coastal belt.

As far as the proposed Petroleum, Chemical and Petrochemical Investment Region proposed to be set up in the twin districts, which is facing lot of opposition in the district, he said that the land for the project are proposed to be acquired by the industries concerned by directly dealing with land owners. Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board does not come into the picture. If PCPIR is set up, the region will get an inflow of Rs 10,147 crore for infrastructure development including roads and railways. "However, I will stick to the stand taken by the BJP on this aspect," he clarified.  BJP ministers Dr V S Acharya and J Krishna Palimar have already made known their opposition to the PCPIR.