Mangalore: Think Positively About MSEZ — Sudhir Ghate
Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (MM/CN)
Pics: Prajwal Ukkuda
Mangalore, Nov 15: The people of coastal Karnataka are known for entrepreneurship and zeal and the Mangalore Special Economic Zone (MSEZ) will provide a stage for this. No doubt watchdogs are needed to check the implementation of assurances given by the government in connection to MSEZ, but the senseless agitation has proved a hurdle to the effective implementation of MSEZ, said Sudhir Ghate, chairman, Magnum Intergrafiks.
Speaking on ‘MSEZ and Controversies’, organized at International Institute of Public Policy (IIPP) on Friday November 14, he said that the MSEZ will provide an opportunity for technical development in the region. Meanwhile, regional growth will also take place because of MSEZ. All those who lose land for the MSEZ are happy with the packages provided, but some outsiders are creating problems through agitations, he alleged.
A total of 4,000 acres of land has been notified for the MSEZ of which 1,800 acres has been acquired and is ready for the first phase of the MSEZ, he said. The first phase will create direct jobs for more than 5,000 people and indirect jobs for 50,000 people. The second phase will create direct job opportunities for more than 50,000 people, Ghate informed.
Petrochemical industries will be set up in the first phase of MSEZ and private entrepreneurs will be allowed in the second phase. The MSEZ will setup a captive power plant to avoid power problems. Four dams of shorter heights would be built across the Phalguni and Netravati rivers. One third of the land has been reserved for growing forests. The MSEZ will start operations in 2010-2011, Ghate added.
He called upon the locals to think positively of the MSEZ project. Fr Denzil Lobo invoked the blessings while Sukanya Rao introduced the guest. Anita Cordeiro compered the programme.
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