Mangalore Airport to get international tag in December

Rs. 60 crore sanctioned for rural power supply in Dakshina Kannada

Laying out plans: M.Veerappa Moily, Minister for Corporate Affairs, addressing at press conference in Mangalore on Sunday. Photo: H.S. Manjunath

Minister for Corporate Affairs M. Veerappa Moily said here on Sunday that the Centre had recently approved Rs. 60 crore for Dakshina Kannada under the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana for rural power supply.

Mr. Moily told presspersons at Patrika Bhawan that the scheme was aimed at providing electricity and creating infrastructure for supplying power in rural areas. It was for the first time funds had been approved for Dakshina Kannada under the scheme.

Status

Mr. Moily said the Centre would accord international status to Mangalore Airport before this December 21. The airport would complete 60 years on December 21, 2011. It was a matter of time. The international status would be accorded in a few days, he said.

The airport was now “domestic customs airport” having international flight operations to West Asia. At present, the airport had been permitted to handle only bags and baggage.

Capacity

The Minister said the Udupi Thermal Power Corporation Ltd. (UPCL) near Padubidri had the capacity to generate 1,500 MW of power. It was not being operated to its full capacity because there were no power transmission lines. The State Government should take steps for laying transmission lines.

Mr. Moily reiterated that the State Government should re-consider its decision of de-notifying 1,998 acres of land for the second phase of Mangalore Special Economic Zone Project. He said only a few section of land holders were not willing to part with their land for the project and a majority of farmers were willing to give up their land for the project.

The Minister said it was the “number one” project of the State and Rs. 46,000 crore had been invested in the project.

He said it would generate employment opportunities for two lakh people.

Referring to the New Mangalore Port, the Minister said a container cargo handling facility would be created at the port.

Road repair

He said Shiradi Ghat on the National Highway 48 required Rs. 5 crore for repairs. Either the State Government or the Centre should bear it.

To a question, he said there was no question of “diverting” the Netravathi and it was only “lifting” water from Yettinahole for the parched districts in central Karnataka.