BELGAUM: Having received a nod from the Karnataka government, the Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) will establish a ‘dry port’ in Belgaum, a unique concept to support manufacturing and trading activity in the region.
“The port authority has received a green signal from Karnataka government to establish a ‘dry port’ in Belgaum. This is a unique concept to support manufacturing and trading activity in the region,” MPT Chairman Cyril C George, who was on a two-day visit to Belgaum to promote MPT among the industry and trade here, told Herald on Thursday.
“We are putting up sustained efforts to promote MPT in north Karnataka region. Located just 165 kms from MPT, Belgaum is an ideal hinterland having great potential to support the port.”
“At present, entrepreneurs here are using JNPT, Mumbai, which is comparatively very far from Belgaum. After establishing the dry port, goods to be shipped could be hoarded and transported to MPT by road or railway, saving precious time and money for manufacturers, farmers and traders in Belgaum region,” he said.
“Karnataka government in principle has agreed to allot required land for the concept which is expected to materialize within next six months. We recently had a meeting with various organizations in Hubli and Belgaum and have received a positive response in this direction,” said George. “Earlier, efforts in this regard could not materialize since the port authority did not have a concrete transport solution.”
Earlier, speaking at a meeting that was organized along with members of various organizations including Belgaum Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BCCI) at the Eefa Hotel on Wednesday evening, George highlighted the innovations and upgraded facilities at the port.
“MPT is gaining importance as a multi-commodity port and is serving as the catalyst of development in the region. As shipping activities at the JNPT that has initiated proactive management is getting saturated, MPT is gaining prominence. Come forward and take the advantage of the new facilities,” George told the business and industry leaders at the meeting.
BCCI President Dilip Tilve, BCCI past president Rajendra Harkuni and prominent industrialists and traders from Belgaum were present at the meeting. Marketing manager Jerome Clement, traffic manager Y R Belegal and representatives from shipping companies from Goa were also present at the meeting.
