Mangaluru Old Port to get dedicated jetty for Lakshadweep at a cost of Rs 65 cr

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Sep 27, 2016 : A dedicated jetty for Lakshadweep  will be constructed at the old Mangaluru Port at a cost of Rs 65 lakhs. This project when completed is expected to go a long way in promoting trade, commerce and tourism in both Mangaluru and Lakshadweep.

A dedicated jetty for Lakshadweep has been a long standing demand as  several goods  and essential commodities are supplied to Lakshadweep from the port. Moreover, several tourists from Mangaluru also  travel towards Lakshadweep which is an important tourist destination. The dedicated jetty will come up on a  8,000 square meter area  and an  MoU has already been signed between the Lakshadweep administration and Karnataka Government with regard to the same.

It takes 16 to 18 hours for a vessel to reach Lakshadweep from Mangaluru. Traders from the island visit Mangaluru  and purchase essentials and construction materials to be taken to Lakshadweep.

The jetty will have a berth to facilitate harbouring of large vessels, shelter for passengers, ferry, a godown for goods, concrete road and other facilities.  A guest house is also under constructed at a cost of Rs 20 crore in the old Port area under  the aegis of  Society for Promotion of Nature Tourists and Sports, a sister concern of the Lakshadweep administration.

Meanwhile, there is a demand to set up a Lakshadweep Secretariat Branch in undivided Dakshina Kannada district to issue  permission letter to those who wish to travel to Lakshadweep which is a restricted area. Presently, the permission to visit Lakshadweep is issued by the Lakshadweep Secretariat at Kochi.