KSIIDC to study coastal region for locating PCPIR

Mangalore, Feb 17 (UNI) Karnataka State Industrial Investment and Development Corporation (KSIIDC) Chairman Yogish Bhat has said a KSIIDC team would study the State's coastal region to set up a Petroleum, Chemical and Petrochemicals investment region (PCPIR).

Speaking to newspersons on the sidelines of a function to launch the Rs 1.3 crore worth construction of flood prevention wall on the banks of Gurupur river at Bokkapatna near Ullal yesterday, Mr Bhat, also the MLA from Mangalore, said the team would submit its report in ten weeks with details about the location, availability of infrastructure and eco-sensitivity of the region.

He said the team would arrive soon and KSIIDC would approach the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for mapping Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts for identifying land for the project.

''The matter has become urgent as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has proposed two such regions in the country and States like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal are in the race to grab this opportunity. By setting up this region, the State can expect an investment of up to Rs 1,00,000 crore in the next ten years.'' Mr Bhat said the KSIIDC also proposed to bring investments to set up an 18-hole golf course by the seaside near Panambur and for a marine aquarium. It was also looking for investments in areas like infrastructure, shipping, tourism, transport and recreation in the coastal region.

On the protection wall, he said the project would be completed in ten months.

UNI