The Hindu Business Line : Govt plans to set up second industrial estate in Mangalore

Replying to the queries of entrepreneurs at an interactive meeting, organised by the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) in Mangalore on Tuesday, Mr Mohammed Sanaulla, Commissioner for Industrial Development and Director of Industries and Commerce, said the Government is looking for land in Mangalore.

A survey is on at Surathkal, near Mangalore, in this regard.

The KCCI President, Mr A. Srinivasa Rao, said many taluks in Dakshina Kannada district are included under forward category, though they are backward in many respects, including industrial development.

He urged the Government to include such taluks under the backward category so that the Government can give attention for their development.

For this, Mr Sanaulla said all efforts would be made to bring the backward taluks on par with the developed taluks in the region.

He was here to inspect the progress of work on the KCCI Exim Facilitation Centre, which has been taken up under the ASIDE (Assistance to States for Developing Export Infrastructure and other Allied Activities) scheme of the Union Government.

Of the Rs 38.34-lakh sanctioned under the ASIDE scheme, Rs 20 lakh has been released for the centre.

The remaining amount is likely to be released after the inspection.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr H.V. Parswanath, Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner, said 503 acres of land — including 180 acres belonging to the State Government — is required for the formation of an IT SEZ (Information Technology Special Economic Zone) in Mangalore.

The Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board has taken steps to acquire land for the IT SEZ, he added.