Mangaluru: “The extension of the runaway of Mangalore International Airport from 2450 mtrs to 3050 mtrs will continue to be the priority of Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and it will put in all its efforts to see that the state government sanctions the same”, informed KCCI President P B Abdul Hameed on Wednesday, October 31.
Speaking to reporters at KCCI auditorium, Hameed said, “Though KCCI has been insisting that the state government allocate enough funds during the budget, efforts have not been taken in this direction during this year’s budget as well. However, we will do our best to ensure that the state government responds positively. If the runway is extended from 2450 mtrs to 3050 mtrs, it will enable wide-bodied aircraft to fly into Mangaluru which is not the case now and will also give a boost to IT, tourism and other industries of this region”, he said.
Speaking on the international airlines Hameed said, “KCCI has received positive responses from several international airlines to start their flight operations to Mangaluru. However, the absence of a bilateral agreement is preventing them from starting the same. The KCCI will continue to represent to the authorities concerned and ensure we get the much needed bilateral permission for Mangaluru”, he said.
Meanwhile, Hameed informed that KCCI had been striving hard to create employment opportunities through IT companies to prevent people of Dakshina Kannada district from migrating to other countries or even out of the district, searching jobs. “So far, a total of 95 IT companies have been functioning in Mangaluru alone and over 30,000 people are engaged in IT companies. In order to create job opportunities for the younger generation, the government needs to give support to those companies which are keen to invest here”, he said.
KCCI Vice President Isaac Vas, Treasurer Ganesh Kamath, secretaries Shashidhar Pai Maroor and Prashanth C G among others were present.
