Mangaluru: The cabinet meeting chaired by CM DK Shivakumar on Friday has granted in-principle approval to examine the technical and financial feasibility of implementing the Mangaluru Water Metro project on the Gurupura and Nethravati rivers under the public-private partnership (PPP) model.The Karnataka Water Transport Board has been authorised to take the necessary steps to advance the project, said deputy CM G Parameshwara.He said the govt has decided to provide a special grant of Rs 400 crore for converting damaged roads within the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) limits into cement-concrete roads and for comprehensive road infrastructure development. The action plan for the works will be finalised under the leadership of district minister UT Khader. Approval has been granted to rehabilitate the old underground drainage system in Zone 3 of Mangaluru city and in Surathkal at an estimated cost of Rs 100 crore. The works will be implemented by the KUIDFC under the ADB-assisted Karnataka Integrated Urban Water Management and Investment Programme, he said.The cabinet has given in-principal approval to open the branches of Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology and Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research in 10 acres of land at Vamanjoor in Mangaluru.The state Cabinet has approved a proposal to develop 15,000 km of rural roads across Karnataka at an estimated cost of Rs 10,000 crore under the Chief Minister’s Rural Development Scheme. The cabinet has also granted administrative approval for allocating Rs 6,000 crore to develop concrete roads and drainage infrastructure in rural areas, he said.A 15 MTPA multipurpose port will be developed at Manki in Uttara Kannada under the DBFOT model. The cabinet approved the project, which is expected to generate direct and indirect employment for around 44,800 people, at an estimated cost of Rs 6,925 crore, Parameshwara said.The Cabinet also approved an increase in the estimated cost of the Karwar airport project from Rs 98.2 crore to Rs 250.1 crore. The project is expected to boost tourism and economic activity in the region. As part of the upgrade, the airport’s 2,000m runway will be extended to 3,250 metres to facilitate the operation of Airbus A320 aircraft. Land acquisition, civil enclave development, rehabilitation and road works will also be taken up, he said.Approval has also been given for the construction of six major bridges in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts at an estimated cost of Rs 229 crore, he added.Upgradation of Wenlock hospitalThe cabinet has approved the addition of 200 beds in the first phase at Wenlock District Hospital in Mangaluru and upgrading it into regional multi-specialty hospital. The govt will also provide the required staff and equipment., Parameshwara saidFurther, he added that the cabinet has approved the development of Mangaluru’s Mangala Stadium as an international-standard facility at a cost of Rs 20 crore. It has also sanctioned Rs 10 crore for installing a synthetic track at the Udupi District Stadium. The DCM said that funds have been sanctioned for constructing the boundary wall of the new district prison.
