It was once a hub of activities, says MLA
The Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) will have to project the development of its old fisheries harbour and the activities there as the unique selling proposition (USP) to make it to the smart city project in the second round of selection, according to J.R. Lobo, MLA, Mangaluru City South.
Addressing presspersons here on Friday, he said that the old port and the fisheries activities there had their own history. The old port was once a hub of activities as goods from abroad and other parts of the country used to arrive to the hinterland through this port. Lakshadweep islands had a historic trade link for the transport of commodities from the hinterland to the islands.
But in the recent past about 80 per cent of trade activities with the Lakshadweep administration had been shifted to Kochi in Kerala. There was a need to revive the old link.
The MLA said that the port and facilities required for fishing activities required total rejuvenation. Their modernisation could be suggested in the proposal to qualify for the smart city project in the second round itself.
Mr. Lobo said that the proposal could focus on cleanliness of the old port area; better solid waste or fish waste collection and their disposal; creating modern facilities for fishermen for trading; dredging in the old port to enable large ships and boats to berth and the like.
MoU signed
Mr. Lobo said that the State government and the Lakshadweep administration had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for reviving the trade links, under which the Lakshadweep administration would invest Rs. 70 crore at the old port for creating infrastructure.
It included dredging, creating berths and having a dedicated area for ships and boats sailing to Lakshadweep.
He said that once both the port and fishing activities got a new look, it could attract tourists to know more about fishing, its catch, processing and related activities.
The port was poorly maintained now due to the negligence by the Ports Department, the MLA alleged.
He said that Davangere made it to the first round of the project by projecting its “mandakki” colony area activities and their development while Belagavi projected development of its Cantonment area.
Courtesy: The Hindu