The Hindu Business Line : Kanara Chamber eyeing `Metro Mangalore'

THE new President of the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Mr A. Srinivas Rao, wants to see a "Metro Mangalore" with more investments coming to the region, leading to its development.

To achieve this, he wants to take the momentum set by his predecessors a bit further on aspects such as the development of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and infrastructure strengthening — including railway network, seaport and airport.

Speaking to Business Line here on Thursday, he said, "We will use all our channels for the development of SEZ here. I want to see the emergence of `Metro Mangalore' at the earliest."

Recently the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) had signed a memorandum of understanding with the Government of Karnataka on developing an SEZ. It is planning to invest around Rs 25,000 crore in the project.

Though Mangalore is growing as an industrial centre in Karnataka, it lacks proper rail connectivity with the rest of the State. "It is high time that the Mangalore-Hassan railway line is completed," he said, adding that the New Mangalore Port is losing a considerable amount of container cargo to other ports due to lack of rail connectivity with the rest of the State. KCCI wants the railway line to be completed as soon as possible, and will work in this regard, he said.

On the development of port infrastructure, Mr Rao said that the chamber would initiate a move to develop the Old Mangalore Port into a general cargo port. He said that it is too early to reveal anything about this as it is only in the conception stage. Cooperation of all the concerned, including the New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT), would be sought in this regard.

As the region is conducive for more business through the New Mangalore Port, KCCI will cooperate with NMPT for any of its future expansion plans.

All these aspects would definitely lead to the emergence of "Metro Mangalore", he said.

Mr Rao, who hails from hospitality industry, said that there is a need to tap the potential of tourism industry in the region. "Though we have good infrastructure in religious and beach tourism, it needs to be strengthened. Other untapped areas should be exploited," he said.

Stating that private entrepreneurs are interested in developing tourism in the region, he said the Government should encourage them. There should be an exclusive transportation system to cater to the needs of tourists visiting the region. The Government should take first step by introducing buses, covering the tourism circuit of the district. It will encourage private entrepreneurs to work further.

On the problems faced by arecanut traders, he said the KCCI would initiate steps to address their woes at appropriate forums. The arecanut trade, which contributes significantly to the economic development of the region, is facing problems due to factors such as multipoint tax system.

The volume of areca trade has come down by 40 per cent after the introduction of "C" form for trading. Some of the arecanut traders are shifting their base to the neighbouring Kasaragod in Kerala where single-point tax system prevails.

It is essential to introduce simple taxation system to arrest this move, he added.

More Stories on : Infrastructure | Industry Associations | Karnataka

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