Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Mar 21: Minister for medium and large scale industries Jagadish Shettar said that airports are being developed under the Udaan scheme of union government and plans already afoot to establish airports at Byndoor and Karwar. Land acquisition for the same will start soon.

Shettar was speaking after inaugurating the Karnataka Coastline Business Conclave that was organized at the TMA Pai Convention center in the city.

Shettar further said, "Hubballi and Belagavi airports are developed under the Udaan scheme. Nearly 15 to 20 flights are operating everyday from these airports. Airports are helpful for business and trading.

"If thousands of acres of land is acquired and given to us we will give excellent industrial projects. Already 200 acres of land is acquired in Beltangady and Puttur. We still need thousands of acres of land. If the land acquisition picks pace, industrial development also will speed up.

"Industries are centred around Bengaluru. State government wants to extend this to two and three tier cities. Cities like Hubballi-Dharwad, Mangaluru and Mysuru will see development in industrial sector.

"There is a proposal to invest Rs 1.60 lac crore in the state. This is highest in the country. Land acquisition process has become a boon to the entrepreneurs because of the amendments made to 79 a and b acts."

MP Nalin Kumar Kateel said, "In industrial development Karnataka has secured top spot in the country. Mangaluru also has to develop like Bengaluru. This requires Land bank. The work of identifying 2,000 acres of land is underway with the cooperation of DC. In the coastal region new manpower has increased. There are plenty of opportunities for establishing industries in Mangaluru.

"Tender process of Mangaluru-Bengaluru four lane road is over. Within two years it will be opened for public use. There are countless opportunities for religious tourism, hotel-resort tourism and medical tourism to develop in the state. If automobile, food and petroleum projects are allotted by the minister, the district will efficiently handle them."

Ullas Kamath, president of FICCI Karnataka said, "The contribution of Karnataka to the economy of the country is more. Karnataka is second in the country in collection of GST. Out of this the contribution of coastal Karnataka is more.

"There is need to establish huge commercial zones in Hubballi-Dharwad and Mangaluru areas. We have to provide employment for the next generation. More achievement is needed in the next 10 years. If youth is employed, development will take pace."

Venkataramana, president of NMPT said, "Industrial infrastructure is complimentary to the development of industries. Karnataka industrial zone has its own prominence in the country. Economy of the country is developing every year and is in the forefront in the country also."

M Venkatesh, managing director of MRPL said, "Project estimated to cost Rs 20,000 crore for the fourth phase expansion of MRPL is already formed. Land acquisition for the same is also in the final stage."

Additional chief secretary of industrial department Gaurav Gupta also spoke on the occasion. Many organizations which have contributed to the industiral and trade development of coastal region including NMPT, MRPL, Nitte VV and Hangyo icecream were felicitated on behalf of FICCI.

DC Dr K V Rajendra and chancellor of Nitte university Vinay Hegde were present. KCCI president Isaac Vas rendered the vote of thanks. Muralidhar Shenoy said the prayers. The programme was compered by Dr Sudhir Raj K.

Press Meet

Addressing a press meet later, Shettar said, "The Bengaluru Global Investors' Meet in December had to be postponed due to coronavirus. This meet will boost industry sector.

"Peenya industrial township was announced in the budget. Similarly we are planning to build 5-6 townships in the state, and Mangaluru will also be considered," he said.

"We have proposed to give land to Tesla at a concessional rate and incentives, but we are yet to get a response from the company.

"The government has recieved 382 project investment proposals worth Rs 76,386 crore, which will create 1,77,700 jobs," he added.

"In the last one year, investment proposals worth Rs 4 lac crore have been received, out of which Rs 1.60 lac crore are from Karnataka, amounting to 39% of total investors.

"Our state stands number one in the country in attracting investors," Shettar said.