Mangalore, November 20: Union Corporate Affairs Minister M Veerappa Moily on Sunday reiterated that no stone would be left unturned to confer international tag on Mangalore Airport before it completes its diamond jubilee year on December 21.
Addressing media persons at 'meet the press' programme organised by the Dakshina Kannada Working Journalists' Union and Mangalore Press Club at Patrika Bhavan here, the Minister said that he had also held discussions with Civil Aviation Minister Vayalar Ravi in this direction.
Mr Moily said that a sum of Rs 60 crore has been sanctioned to Dakshina Kannada district under Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutkaran Yojana (RGGVY) from the Central government.
He said that there was an urgent need to widen the national highways, train and port connectivity in Dakshina Kannada. He said a survey has been conducted to construct four lane stretches between Mangalore and Bangalore via Hassan. Roads from Kundapur-Surathkal-Talapady have already been completed. Agumbe to Udupi would also be included in national Highway network, he said.
A survey of Rs 175 crore has been done and the Centre asked state government to send report, he added.
Mr Moily said a container terminal at NMPT would be established providing fillip to downstream industries in the region.
Taking a dig at State government for power crisis Moily said presently 1,500 MW of power is available at Padubidri power plant, but, the government has failed to distribute this power providing proper transmission lines. “I have already contacted Chief Minister in this regard,” he said.
He dubbed LK Advani's Jan Chetna Yatra, as a personal agenda of the BJP veteran to fulfil his dream of becoming the Prime Minister.
"Advani's wish to become Prime Minister earlier failed. Now, he is trying to realise it by this yatra," he said.
Moily also alleged that Team Anna was behind the Yatra. "Advani is not a tall leader like Atal Behari Vajpayee," he pointed out.
Exporters Meet
He said that a state level exporters' meet would be held in second week of January focusing on all aspects of giving thrust to maximising exports from the state.
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