Stressing on the need for port-led development for the overall development of Karnataka, the Dakshina Kannada Member of Parliament, Brijesh Chowta, has asked the stakeholders concerned to come together and work for the development of the State.
Inaugurating a workshop on ‘Maritime adversities’, organised by the New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) in Mangaluru on Friday, he said that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure in Gujarat as its Chief Minister helped that State to emerge as a major trade hub due to his focus on port-led development.
Stating that port-led development helps realise the full potential of the region, he said that Karnataka’s development can get a boost if the State government focuses on the port-led development. He added that people sitting in Bengaluru either don’t understand this or want to conveniently forget this.
Highlighting the need to improve road connectivity to the port, he urged the Karnataka government to expedite the clearance process for the Shiradi ghat bypass project so that the detailed project report can move ahead. The port-led development can significantly add to the GDP of Karnataka, he said.
Chowta said that Mangaluru should have a maritime university of its own. Stating that he has discussed this with a few consultants, he added that a project report is being prepared on this. The report will be submitted to the Shipping Ministry soon.
The proposed university should be named after Rani Abbakka whose 500th birth anniversary will be observed this year. Rani Abbakka was the queen of Ullal who fought the Portuguese in the 16th century. This year is also the 50th anniversary of New Mangalore Port. “There cannot be a better place than Mangaluru for setting up the maritime university,” he said.