Mangalore : Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Latha R Kini in a press meet held at KCCI on October 11, Tuesday said that the KCCI will urge the people’s representatives to take the matters like setting up of a Fire Station at Baikampady Industrial Area.

She also said that they must take an initiative to start the process of setting up of a Fishing Harbour at Kulai, declaring Bajpe Airport as an International Airport, Construction of Footpaths on a priority basis in Mangalore City Corporation Area, Immediate repair of Highways, especially Bangalore- Mangalore and Baikampady Railway Over Bridge and setting up of a Pre –paid Auto Booth at Mangalore Junction Railway Station.

Speaking about the fire station, she said that there is no Fire Station on NH 17, there is a oil and Fuel storage Terminal located near APMC yard in Baikampady, Highly inflammable liquids are transported from this point to various points in the district.

She also said that there is an LPG Bottling Plant, there is edible oil refining units, Crude Oil to MRPL is transported through pipeline from the Port, there is a Timber Yard in the Port and Thousands of employees work in the Industrial Area, hence there is a dire necessity of a dedicated fire station in the Baikampady Area close to the National Highway.

Speaking about Fishing Harbour, she said that the Karnataka Government in its 2011-2012 Budget has announced Rs 100 crore allocations for construction of small Fishing Harbours in Coastal areas. A Fishing Harbour at Kulai is pending considerably for long time. Hence this is to be implemented on priority basis. The recent accident, causing death of Fishermen, has highlighted the need for the harbor, which needs to be implemented fast.

Though International Flights operate from Bajpe Airport, it is yet to get International status. Hence Mangalore Airport is not on the International map. The new terminal and the new seup are of International Standards and hence the airport needs to be declared as an International Airport.

While it is also true that road development work has been taken up in Mangalore, no attention has been paid to bus stops and footpaths. The pedestrians find it extremely difficult to walk on the roads and complain about this regularly. The authorities need to pay attention to this demand and restore the footpaths so as to make it convenient for pedestrians.

Speaking on the highways, the rains have damaged the roads and all the highways connecting to Mangalore are in bad shape. Since the monsoon has receded there is an urgent need to repair these roads. The Mangalore – Bangalore highway at Shiradi is in a pathetic condition. Repairing of the Bridge at Baikampady is also to be taken up immediately. We urge the highway authorities to take up the matter seriously.

She said that KCCI is happy to note that the long standing demand of setting up a prepaid auto booth at KSRTC Bus Stand and Mangalore Central Railway Station has become a reality. The same facility has to e extended to Mangalore Junction (Kankanady) where there is pressing need.

She said that they will urge the state government to announce the time duration of power cutting.

Mohammed Ameen was also present at the press meet.