New Delhi: Transport and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said the Centre is ready to develop Belekeri port in Uttar Kannada district.

The Belekeri port has all qualities to be developed as a major port on the west coast. If the Karnataka government sends a proposal, the Centre is ready to take up development with an investment of Rs 6,000 crore, Gadkari informed Lok Sabha while replying to a question by BJP MP Pralhad Joshi.

If the port is developed on par with international standards, it would also help development of entire north Karnataka. If the Centre clears the long-pending Hubballi-Ankola railway line, it would be a major boost to the proposed port also, Joshi said.