Mangaluru: Former Karnataka Legislative Council member and former chairman of the Government Assurance Committee B M Farooq has urged Chief Minister D K Shivakumar to address several long-pending development and environmental issues in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts ahead of the historic Cabinet meeting scheduled in Mangaluru.
In a letter addressed to the chief minister, Farooq welcomed the decision to hold the Cabinet meeting in Mangaluru, describing it as a historic and people-oriented initiative that would bring the government closer to the people and provide an opportunity to address the specific needs of coastal Karnataka.
Farooq placed a wide range of proposals before the chief minister, covering connectivity, environmental protection, sewage management, industrial safety, fisheries, tourism and coordinated urban development.
Better connectivity for coastal Karnataka
One of the key issues highlighted by Farooq was the need to strengthen connectivity between major coastal centres, particularly Mangaluru, Udupi, Kundapur and Bhatkal.
He called for consideration of the proposed metro rail project connecting Mangaluru to Bhatkal, which he said could improve connectivity along the coastal belt and support the movement of people and economic activity between the major urban centres.
Farooq also urged the government to improve road and railway connectivity between Bengaluru and Mangaluru. The Bengaluru-Mangaluru corridor is an important link for the movement of passengers and goods, but connectivity through the Western Ghats is frequently affected by heavy rainfall, landslides and traffic disruptions.
He called for the government to expedite tunnel and elevated road projects through the Shiradi, Sampaje and Charmadi ghat sections. Such projects, he said, could provide more reliable connectivity and reduce the impact of landslides and other disruptions on traffic between the coast and the hinterland.
Environmental concerns and industrial pollution
Farooq also raised concerns over pollution associated with petrochemical industries in and around Mangaluru.
He urged the government to take strict measures to protect rivers, the sea and public health from industrial pollution. Referring to concerns surrounding the Mangalore Special Economic Zone and Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL), he called for greater transparency and action on pollution-related issues.
Farooq specifically sought the release of the water survey report, stating that the findings should be made available to the public.
The former MLC’s concerns come amid continued demands from environmental groups and local communities for stronger monitoring of industrial activity along the coastal region. Mangaluru has a significant concentration of petrochemical and other industries, making environmental safeguards an important aspect of the region’s long-term development.
Sewage management needs attention
Sewage management in Mangaluru, Surathkal and Ullal was another major issue raised in the letter.
Farooq expressed concern that untreated wastewater was affecting water sources and called for comprehensive measures to address sewage-related problems in the three areas.
He suggested that Ullal be brought within the limits of Mangaluru City Corporation and that its sewage and drinking water infrastructure be redesigned to meet the requirements of a growing urban population.
The proposal comes against the backdrop of rapid urbanisation along the Mangaluru-Ullal-Surathkal belt. Farooq’s suggestions emphasised the need for integrated planning of sewage treatment, drainage and drinking water systems rather than addressing individual urban areas separately.
Safety of petroleum infrastructure
Farooq also drew attention to the safety of underground petroleum storage facilities and pipelines in and around Mangaluru.
Given the presence of major petroleum and petrochemical infrastructure in the region, he called for modern firefighting systems and emergency response mechanisms capable of dealing with industrial accidents.
He urged the government to ensure that safety infrastructure keeps pace with the expansion of petroleum-related facilities and that emergency preparedness is strengthened in areas surrounding such installations.
Focus on fisheries and coastal tourism
The former MLC also sought a comprehensive fisheries policy for coastal Karnataka. He called for measures to address the concerns of the fishing community while modernising fishing-related infrastructure.
Farooq suggested the relocation and modernisation of fishing activities at the old Mangaluru port. He also proposed the development of coastal tourism in Bengre, which has significant potential because of its coastal landscape and location near Mangaluru.
According to Farooq, coordinated development of fisheries, tourism and port-related activities could contribute to economic growth while also improving opportunities for communities dependent on the coastal economy.
Greater Mangaluru development initiative proposed
Farooq further suggested the establishment of a Greater Mangaluru Initiative to coordinate development across the expanding urban region.
He proposed creating a Mangaluru Agenda Task Force involving industrialists and other stakeholders. Such a mechanism, he said, could help bring together different sections involved in the city’s economic and infrastructure development and facilitate coordinated implementation of major projects.
The suggestions cover a broad range of issues that extend beyond individual departments, including transport, urban planning, environmental protection, industrial safety, fisheries and tourism.
Expectations from Cabinet meeting
The Karnataka Cabinet meeting in Mangaluru is expected to focus on several development issues concerning the coastal region. Farooq’s letter comes ahead of the meeting and seeks government attention to projects and concerns that have remained pending for varying periods.
Farooq expressed confidence that Chief Minister D K Shivakumar would consider the suggestions and initiate measures in the interest of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and the wider coastal Karnataka region.
With the Cabinet meeting being held in Mangaluru for the first time, the proposals have placed a range of regional priorities before the state government. The meeting is expected to provide an opportunity for the government to deliberate on development requirements and consider measures aimed at strengthening infrastructure, protecting the environment and supporting economic activity along the coast.