Karnataka to develop minor ports

Mangalore: The Karnataka Government is planning to develop minor ports in the State with private participation on BOT (build, operate, transfer) basis, according to the Karnataka Minister for Port and Fisheries, Mr J. Krishna Palemar.

In an informal chat with presspersons on the sidelines of a seminar on ‘Fresh water mussel pearl production’, he said that the Government is planning to develop Karwar port in the State on a BOT basis.

As a first step in this regard, a global tender has been placed, calling for private participation in the development of Karwar port, and six participants have already been short-listed. “We hope to provide better facilities to people and to exporters with this move,” he said.

Asked about other minor ports in the State, he said development of these ports with private participation will be taken up in a phased manner.

Mr Palemar said there is also a need to develop fisheries harbours in the State, and a jetty at Kulai in Mangalore for fishermen.

When told that minor ports and fisheries harbours in the State require immediate dredging, Mr Palemar said that his department has submitted a Rs 10-crore proposal for the purpose. This matter will be placed before the Government soon. “I hope that we will be able to take up dredging activities in these minor ports within six months,” he said.