KCCI demands fire station on NH 17

Mangalore, October 12: The Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has demanded setting up of a fire station in Baikampady, fishing harbour at Kulai and upgrading Bajpe to international airport which are essential for the city.

Talking to the press on Tuesday Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) President Latha R Kini said that there is a need to set up Fire Station on NH 17, near Baikampady because highly inflammable liquids are transported from oil and fuel storage terminal located near APMC yard to various points in the district.

Further LPG bottling plant, edible oil refining units and a timber yard is located in the same vicinity.

Since crude oil to MRPL is also transported through pipeline from the port, a fire station in this area is a must.

With regard to KCCI's demand for a fishing harbour in Kulai, she said that the state government in its 2011-12 budget had announced Rs 100 crore allocation for construction of small fishing harbours in coastal areas. A fishing harbour at Kulai has been pending considerably for long time.

“The recent accident causing death of fishermen has highlighted the need for the harbour, which needs to be implemented fast,” Kini said.

M'lore airport

Speaking about the long standing demand of declaring Mangalore airport as an international airport, Kini said that despite Air India Express operating between Mangalore and Gulf countries, Mangalore airport has not been declared as an international airport.

With the declaration, Mangalore will find a place in the international map.

“The new terminal and the new set up are of the international standard. Hence the airport needs to be declared as an international airport,” she said adding that the present runway length has to be increased by another 1,000 ft by acquiring required land and filling the valley. The cost for this can be shared by the State and the Centre.

Taxiway must be provided and the airport must be named as 'U S Mallya International Airport'. The demands pertaining to the airport has been sent to Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs and Civil Aviation Vayalar Ravi.

Other demands

Development of footpaths in the city improving the condition of the National Highways providing connectivity to Mangalore, extension of pre-paid auto booth facilities to Mangalore Junction railway station are some of the other demands kept forth by the Chamber.

Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vice-President Mohommed Ameen among others were present during the occasion.