The Union and State governments jointly have approved a ₹65 crore project for the development of the Old Port here, according to J.R. Lobo, MLA for Mangaluru City South.
The project is the construction of coastal berth. The Union government has sanctioned ₹25 crore of the total project cost under the scheme Assistance to Coastal Shipping Berth/Sagarmala. The Union government has released 50% (₹12.50 crore) of its share to the State.
Remaining amount
But Mr. Lobo said that as the remaining amount of the total project cost would have to be borne by the State government, completing the project might suffer like the third phase jetty expansion project at the port. Now, the Union government’s share accounted for about 40% of the total project cost. Mr. Lobo said that he was urging the Union government to increase its share to 60% and get the State government to share the remaining 40%. The MLA claimed that the State cannot bear a huge amount for the project and hence the Union government should increase its share.
Case pending
Mr. Lobo said the cost of the third phase of the fisheries jetty expansion at the Old Port has gone up to ₹83.55 crore from the ₹57.60 crore estimate in 2010. The commencement of the project was delayed because of a case pending in the National Green Tribunal (NGT). Though the case has been settled now, the Union government has refused to bear the escalated cost for completing the project.
He said that of the total project cost, ₹52.60 crore was paid for the completed works under the expansion project. Of this, the Union government gave only ₹13 crore and the balance ₹39.60 crore was released by the State government. Completing the project required additional funds owing to an escalation in the cost.
‘Will go to Lakshadweep’
The MLA said that he would take out a delegation to Lakshadweep shortly to impress upon the Lakshadweep administration to sanction ₹68 crore for building a dedicated jetty for Lakshadweep-bound vessels at the Old Port in Mangaluru.
Mr. Lobo said that the government has sanctioned ₹29 crores for dredging at the Old Port here. Of this, the Union government would share ₹15 crore and the balance amount would be shared by the State government.
The depth at the Old Port should be increased from four mts now to seven mts. by dredging.
