Nalin Kumar Kateel, Dakshina Kannada MP, on Saturday said the work on four-laning Mangaluru-Karkala-Sringeri-Shivamogga National Highway is likely to start by December this year.
Speaking at an interactive meeting with members of the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) here, Mr. Nalin was responding to Chamber’s concerns on various infrastructure projects in the district.
He said the Rs. 1,800-crore project would involve construction of a bypass road at Moodbidri and a new bridge across Gurupura River.
Similarly, four-laning of the Talapady-Kundapura stretch of the national highway would be completed by this month-end, except three flyovers in Mangaluru—Thokkottu, Pumpwell and Nanthoor. The Thokkottu flyover should be complete by November.
On the other hand, work on four-laning of the national highway between B.C. Road and Hassan, except the Shiradi Ghat stretch, would also commence by this December.
In a matter of three years, all four-laning works of NHs in the district should be complete, the MP said. As far issues regarding Railways are concerned, Mr. Nalin said there is a loud thinking to bring the entire Mangaluru Railway region under the Konkan Railway Corporation.
The modalities are being worked out, he added. Meanwhile, the Union government has sanctioned world-class station at Mangalore Junction, wherein the Railways would provide 60 acres of land and the Mangaluru City Corporation 30 acres. The station would come up at an estimated cost of Rs. 1,000 crore under public-private partnership, he said.
Responding to the demand for smart cities, Mr. Nalin said a port smart city is in pipeline while another private smart city on 400 acres too is on the anvil.
As far as government-promoted smart city, efforts are being made to send a proposal through the State government to the centre, Mr. Nalin added.
Overall development
A plan for the overall development of the district is being chalked out involving different stakeholders. Promotion of tourism—cultural (religious), beach and educational, enhancing educational infrastructure, special agricultural zone etc., are some of the proposals, Mr. Nalin said. Creation of water fronts near beaches and introduction of ship tourism between Mangaluru-Goa-Kochin are some other proposals.
Not at agriculture’s cost
Stating that he is not opposed to industries, the MP said he however opposed acquisition of fertile agricultural lands, including for the thermal power plant at Niddodi.
On the other hand, he had exhibited availability of about 600 acres of barren government land and another 200 acres of private barren land elsewhere in the district to the Karnataka Power Minister D.K. Shiva Kumar. Survey is on by officials, he added.
People have been opposing mega projects in the district after their terrible experiences with MRPL and neighbouring UPCL, which failed to keep up promises of providing facilities to local people as well as maintaining the environment, he said.
