Old port needs to be modernised, says MLA

Modernisation of the fisheries sector and the old port were the most important steps to be taken to include the city in the second list of smart city project, JR Lobo MLA said here today.
Speaking to reporters here, Lobo said Mangaluru could not make it to the first list of smart cities due to various reasons and Davanagere and Belagavi were selected to the list.
The old port of Mangaluru had a rich history.
Major export of spices and other commodities were done from the port till a few years back.
Lakshadweep was completely dependent on Mangaluru old port for all its imports, but presently 80 percent of the exports were being executed from Kerala, Lobo said "Mangaluru old port is the unique selling point of the city (USP) and provides employment to a large number people in fishing industry and export."

So this time the proposal was being prepared concentrating mainly on the old port, he said.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had already been signed with Lakshadweep administration and they would soon start construction of a jetty at the old port, he said.
The development of old port would also help realise the tourism potential and export revenue, he said.