PM launches, lays foundation for projects worth Rs 3,800 crore in Mangaluru
Mangaluru (Karnataka) (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Friday inaugurated and laid the foundation for mechanisation and industrialisation projects worth around Rs 3,800 crore.
One of them that was worth over Rs 280 crore was for mechanisation of a berth for handling containers and other cargo undertaken by the New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA).
He laid the foundation of five projects worth around Rs 1,000 crore undertaken by the port.
Further, the Prime Minister inaugurated two projects undertaken by Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited -- BS VI upgradation project and a desalination plant worth Rs 1,830 crore and Rs 680 crore respectively.
The desalination plant would help reduce dependency on fresh water and ensure regular supply of hydrocarbons and petrochemicals throughout the year, according to an official statement.
Having a capacity of 30 million litres per day (MLD), the plant converts sea-water into water required for refineries, the statement said.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said the NMPA is working to modernise and mechanise its infrastructure as part of 'Maritime India Vision 2030'.
He added that the NMPA is a 100 per cent solar-powered port, which has won several awards for zero emission.
Sonowal said Karnataka is a major stakeholder contributing to the success of Sagarmala' with 55 projects worth Rs 15,000 crore.
In his address, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said the projects would increase the capacity of the New Mangalore Port.
A new LPG terminal, bitumen, and edible oil storage centre is coming up. A major development of the State is happening through coastal Karnataka, Bommai said.
He said due to the double-engine government', 18 projects were completed under the "Sagarmala" project, while 14 new projects worth Rs 950 crore were sanctioned by the Shipping Ministry for the overall development of coastal Karnataka.
"The businessmen in this region know that the benefits Kerala and Goa had were not available to Karnataka. We fought for 30 years. Because of Prime Minister Modi's visit to Mangaluru, our CRZ (coastal regulation zone) masterplan has been approved and an order to this effect given, this had been a long-pending demand of Karnataka," Bommai said.
Similarly, the Majali project in Karwar worth Rs 350 crore was approved.
Bommai thanked Modi for the Fishery Department's nod for deepsea fishing. For the first time, a 40 per cent subsidy is being given by the Centre to purchase 100 high-speed boats for deepsea fishing, he said.
The Chief Minister expressed confidence that the projects would help overall development of the region.
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Siddaramaiah, I will abide by Cong high command decision on leadership issue, says Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Sunday said both he and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will abide by any decision takeb by the Congress high command on the leadership issue in the state.
Speaking to reporters after returning from Delhi, the Congress state president said, he has full faith in the party leadership and that it would take an approapriate decision at the appropriate time.
The remarks comes amid speculations within the party and political circles about a possible leadership change and cabinet reshuffle after May 4, when the results for assembly elections in four states and one union territory, along with bypolls to two assembly segments in the Karnataka are announced.
"I will not speak about political issues before the media. I have already said that when the time comes you will get to know. So I will not tell you," Shivakumar said in response to a question on discussions with the Congress high command during his Delhi visit over the last couple of days.
He asserted that there are no issues within the party, and whatever has been already decided will take place accordingly.
Responding to a question on senior Minister Satish Jarkiholi's reported statement about internal differences, the Deputy CM said, "nothing like that, they (high command) will do what they have to do at the appropriate time."
"There are no issues, we have faith in our party, they will do what they have to," he added.
Asked about the issue of leadership change as the government is about to complete three years in office, Shivakumar said, "... I have never discussed this issue. The CM and I have both said that we will accept whatever and whenever the high command decides, and we will abide by it."
He declined to comment when asked whether any "good news" can be expected by his birthday on May 15.
The leadership tussle within the ruling party has intensified amid speculation about a possible change of chief minister after the Congress government completed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, 2025. The speculation has been fuelled by the reported "power-sharing" arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar at the time of government formation in 2023.
Responding to a question on the BJP's criticism against the Congress government over its decision on internal reservation for Scheduled Castes, alleging injustice to several communities and questioning its intent behind the revised quota formula, Shivakumar said the BJP could not do anything on internal reservation while in power, but the Congress has kept its promise.
"We have found a solution and tried to do justice to all sections among SCs. We have fulfilled the promise made and every one should go together," he said.
Shivakumar warned his party workers against erecting flex banners for his birthday on May 15.
"For May 15, I want to tell everyone that no one should put up flex banners or advertisements for my birthday. If flex are installed I will ensure that cases are registered by authorities against those responsible, whether they are party workers or followers....no one should put such things on roads, this is my personal request," he said, adding that he has asked commissioners of the city corporations to register cases and impose heavy fines.
