Karwar port expansion phase II

Karwar: “Karwar port is the only natural harbour in the State. It had a huge potential and the Government is preparing an action plan to tap it,” Minister for Ports and Inland Water Transport Krishna J. Palemar has said.

Talking to presspersons here on Wednesday, the Minister said the second phase of expansion of Karwar port would be taken up shortly. He said the expansion would not create any problem for fishermen.

On evacuation of people living in the area acquired by the Port Department, the Minister said people who were being displaced had already been compensated. Another package of Rs. 50 crore was being prepared for them, he added.

Revenue

Mr. Palemar said the Gujarat Government was getting an annual revenue of Rs. 15,000 crore through ports where as the revenue generated through ports in Karnataka was just Rs. 30 crore. Karnataka was planning to adopt the Gujarat model of port development, the Minister said. The ports would be developed with participation of private companies, and these companies would build, develop and operate the ports for 30 years before handing them over to the Government.

Mr. Palemar said the Government was discouraging acacia plantations and would promote planting of environment-friendly trees.

Later, addressing the Bharatiya Janata Party workers, the Minister said party workers should strive hard for its victory in the coming byelections.

Minister for Fisheries, Science and Technology Anand Asnotikar, former MLA, Gangadhar Bhat, and district BJP president Vinod Prabhu were present.