Lakshadweep MP seeks dedicated wharf at Old Mangalore Port

Hamdulla Sayeed, Member of Parliament from Lakshadweep, has sought the construction of a dedicated wharf for the Lakshadweep administration at Old Mangalore Port.

Speaking to presspersons during his visit to Old Mangalore Port here on Thursday, Sayeed said from time immemorial Old Mangalore has been a port for transportation for essential commodities, items under the public distribution system, river sand and petroleum products, among others.

He said the administration of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep has sent a draft proposal to the Karnataka Government to set up a dedicated wharf at Old Mangalore Port for the benefit of the Lakshadweep administration.

The draft proposal requires some modification as there were some areas where the administration of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep and the Karnataka Government differ. He hoped that those points of differences can be removed so that the point of convergence can be arrived at for the construction of a dedicated wharf at Old Mangalore Port.

Once that is cleared by the Karnataka Government the project will be taken up, he said.

To a query on the cost of construction of the wharf project, he said it was estimated at around Rs 44.5 crore. Sayeed said this amount would be cleared by both Lakshadweep and Karnataka. The amount given in the proposal is not exorbitant and should be agreeable to both the administrations, he said.

The proposal suggests the establishment of a 300-metre-long dedicated wharf for the Lakshadweep administration at Old Mangalore Port. Apart from anchoring ships, the wharf will also help in the embarkation and dis-embarkation of passengers, and loading and unloading of cargoes. The project would be a major boost for the people of Lakshadweep and Mangalore, he added.

vinayak.aj@thehindu.co.in

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