Pics: Abhijith N Kolpe

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Mar 5: Union minister for road transport, highways and shipping, Nithin Gadkari, laid foundation stone for fishing jetty at Kulai and several road-development works under Sagarmala and Bharathmala projects through video conference here at Jawaharlal Nehru Centenary Hall New Mangalore Port Panambur here on Tuesday, March 5.

Speaking on the occasion, Nithin Gadkari said," Today foundation stone has been laid for fishing jetty and several road-development works under Sagarmala and Bharathmala projects. 20 fishing jetties will be constructed across the country worth Rs 4,132 crore which will benefit the fishermen. Fishing jetty at Kulai will be very useful to the fishermen and can boost their income significantly. The jetty will accommodate 300 boats and will be completed by May 2022,”

"I congratulate MP Nalin Kumar Kateel for his continuous follow-up for the development works for the district. The flyovers at Thokkottu and Pumpwell were delayed inconveniencing the people of Mangaluru. MP Nalin Kumar Kateel has been constantly pursuing the issue and I have ordered the NHAI officials to complete both the flyovers as per schedule,” added Nithin Gadkari.

Joint secretary Sagarmala project, ministry of shipping Kailash Agarwal said,"The fishing jetty at Kulai was long pending demand and today the foundation stone has been laid for the project worth Rs 196 crore and the jetty can accommodate 300 boats. We have already released Rs 49 crore for the project. We also urge the support from state government to execute of the project as planned,”

District in-charge minister U T Khader said," Several development works have been lined up for the future of Dakshina Kannada. Whenever a project has been sanctioned under local MP's or MLA's grant, the corporators should join hands to implement the project for the district. We belong to different parties but when it comes to development, we are united,”
"Construction of jetty is a joint venture of state government and central government. Today foundation stone has been laid for Link Road which will help for the smooth functioning of the traffic movement. For the purpose of state highway development, Rs 40 crore has been sanctioned from state highway development corporation,” added U T Khader.

MP Nalin Kumar Kateel said, "There was a long pending demand for the construction of jetty at Kulai, it is joint venture of state government and central government to benefit the fishermen. Close to Rs 16,000 crore has been released for the development in Dakshina Kannada district. Mangaluru is the only place where we have Smart City project and Amruth Scheme together. The project of Kulai jetty is very useful to the fishermen. I thank the state government for sanctioning Rs 11 acre land for the project,”

He also said, "In the development works of Kulshekar-Karkala four-lane road, DPR has been completed, land acquisition process is on and the work will be undertaken soon. BC Road-Punjalkatte road development of Rs 98 crore, Gurpur bridge worth Rs 39.42 crore will also be undertaken and by next year both will be completed,”

"The roads like Kulshekar -Karkala stretch with Rs 12 crore, Punjalkatte-Charmadi stretch with Rs 10 crore, Suratkal-BC Road with Rs 22 crore outlays will be completely tarred. We have got administrative proposal for four projects such as Plastic Park, Coast Guard Training Centre, Central School at NITK and Coconut Park at Bantwal. Along with these, three projects have been proposed such as IT Park at Konaje, Focusing on the parts of Puttur, Sullia and Beltangady, special agricultural zone (SAZ), and a Railway zone,” said Nalin.

The projects for which foundation stones were laid are construction of Mangaluru bypass (linking towns Mulky-Kinnigoli-Kateel-Bajpe-Kaikamba-Polali-Addur-Kalpane-BC Road-Melkar-Konaje-Thokkottu of NH 66 covering a length of 91.20 km with an investment of Rs 2,500 crore, , Four-laning of Sanur Junction to Bikarnakatte section of NH 169 covering a length of 45.01 km with an outlay of Rs 1,163 crore and construction of new six lane major bridge across Phalguni river at Kulur. Mangaluru costing Rs 65 crore.

In the new fishing jetty at Kulai worth Rs 196 crore, NMPT will put a share of 45%, state government will invest 5% and central government will bear 50% share of the total cost. The new jetty will be completely maintained by NMPT and can accommodate,”

Director of NMPT welcomed the gathering and Manohar Prasad compered the event.

Mangaluru North MLA Dr Bharath Y Shetty, Mangaluru South MLA Vedavyas Kamath, corporator Raghuveer, Ganesh Hosabettu and others were present.