KCCI submits memorandum to Min Piyush Goyal; proposes developing Mangaluru-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor

Team Udayavani, Dec 25, 2021, 11:28 AM IST

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Kanara Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), Mangaluru has submitted a memorandum to Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce & Industry urging him to develop Mangaluru-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (MBIC) on the lines of development of other industrial corridors in the country.

KCCI president Shashidhar Pai Maroor, in the letter, expressed happiness over the government’s approval for the development of 11 Industrial Corridors with 32 Projects to be developed in four phases in the country as part of the National Industrial Corridor Programme (NICP) which are under various stages of conceptualization/development /implementation.

“Due to its strategic location and being a powerhouse of economic activities, Bengaluru is part of the Chennai Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC – now extended to Kochi via Coimbatore), Hyderabad Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (HBIC), and Bengaluru Mumbai Industrial Corridor (BMIC). We also note that in Karnataka state, at present, Tumakuru Industrial Area (on CBIC) and Dharwad Node (on BMIC) have project development activities underway.

On similar lines, we propose a Mangaluru Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (MBIC). MBIC can connect the state’s only all-weather Port (New Mangalore Port) with the state’s capital Bengaluru passing to the hinterland areas of Dakshina Kannada, Hassan, and Bengaluru Rural districts through National Highway 75. NHAI is already working on the Shiradi Ghat Tunnel project (23.6km) and the development of world-class infrastructure along the connectivity channels in the region along the corridor passing through various districts,” said the memorandum.

It further adds, “In a few years, the distance between Mangaluru Bengaluru is expected to be covered within 5-6 hours. The presence of New Mangalore Port, an all-weather deep-draft seaport with capability and experience to handle cargo of volume and diversity on this corridor will further boost the EXIM trade in this region.

Further, the Mangaluru International Airport which is having direct flights to the Gulf countries has not reached its full potential in export cargo. Perishable goods from the hinterland can be exported via Mangaluru International Airport.

Similarly, the hinterland would have the advantage of the railway hub at Mangaluru which has frequent trains to Kerala and Maharashtra region (apart from other parts of India).

This proposed MBIC has a huge potential for the unparalleled economic development of the state, creating large employment opportunities and helping towards overall socio-economic development.

Development of this Corridor would give a boost to our Prime Minister’s vision to boost export from every district. The development of the Corridor would give a boost to small-scale Industrial activities in these districts and boost Karnataka’s share of exports.”