The Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) has urged the trade and industry in the State to make use of New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) for the shipment of goods.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Coastal Region Development Coordination Committee meeting of FKCCI in Mangalore on Thursday, Mr J.R. Bangera, President of FKCCI, said: “We have to make sure that most of the shipment of goods should be made from New Mangalore Port, and not through Chennai and Kochi ports. The only major port of Karnataka is located in Mangalore.”

He said Mangalore's strategic advantages include high literacy rate, enterprising nature of people, good communication network, well-connected roads to other parts of the country, and a good railway network linking the city with important trade centres. Mangalore airport is situated 19 km from the city, he said.

When asked about the lack of a maritime board in the State, in spite of the State Government making announcements regarding this, he said FKCCI will give serious consideration to it. This matter will be taken up with the State Government, he said.

It may be recalled that the State Government has been proposing the establishment of a Karnataka Maritime Board in its last three budgets. But the proposal has not yet materialised.

ROAD

Stressing the need for strengthening other modes of transport such as road and railways, he said the National Highway No. 66 should be broadened to facilitate the free movement of goods.

A permanent solution should be found for the problems faced on National Highway No. 75 on the Western Ghats, as it becomes un-motorable during monsoon.

Pressure should be put on the Union Railway Ministry to complete the direct railway line between Shravanabelagola in Hassan and Bangalore. This will reduce the travel time between Mangalore and Bangalore by three hours, providing better connectivity to the State Capital, he added.

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