An initiative to set up a LNG terminal at New Mangalore Port (NMP) on public-private partnership basis was dropped owing to the non-availability of sterile area in the port for the terminal, according to Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
Replying to an unstarred question by Kota Srinivas Poojary, Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP, in the Lok Sabha on Friday, the Minister said that the initiative had been mooted under project UNNATI.
The Minister said that another initiative to set up a mechanised fertilizer handling berth with silo storage and a bagging plant, also under project UNNATI, was dropped owing to “negative market response.”
Mr. Sonowal said that an initiative to reduce overtime costs by migrating to a three shift deployment for tugs, pilot launches and mooring boats, under project UNNATI, was implemented at the NMP.
In addition, the Minister said, an initiative to increase container cargo by attracting customers from Mysuru and adjoining areas and another initiative of improving service level of containers and providing equipment at berth No. 8 for handling containers, both under project UNNATI, have been implemented at the same port.
Sagarmala scheme
The Minister said that eight projects worth ₹493 crore have been sanctioned to Karnataka under Sagarmala scheme. Of them five projects are under implementation and three projects have been completed.
The projects completed are modernisation of the existing fishing harbour at Amadalli, third stage expansion including modenisation of the existing fishing harbour at Malpe and coastal districts skill development programme, phase I – Karnataka.
The projects under implementation are development of fishing harbour at Kulai; construction of coastal cargo berth at Old Mangalore Port; coastal districts skill development programme phase II – Karnataka; development of Hejmadi Kodi fishing harbour; and installing firefighting equipment at Karwar.
The Minister said that 13 infrastructural upgradation works were carried out at NMP.
Some among them are construction of berth No. 17 (awarded project cost of ₹177.37 crore); strengthening and widening to four-lane of existing road from KK Gate to Baikampady Tank Bund Road with pavement quality concrete (₹22.52 crore); construction of two covered storage sheds in wharf area (₹17.03 crore) and providing pavement quality concrete for development of MDL Yard inside wharf area (₹14.9 crore).
Published – December 07, 2024 11:02 pm IST