Mangaluru: Promising the people of Dakshina Kannada district that he is committed to working for the development of the district, MLC B M Farooq, on Thursday informed that he has submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy regarding the development of the Dakshina Kannada district.

Speaking to reporters in Mangaluru, Farooq said that the district has the potential to become a commercial hub. “I have requested the CM to visit the district and hold discussions with local authorities to formulate developmental plans,” he said.

In the light of the recent issues with the Charmadi and the Shirdi ghat roads, the MLC said a tunnel road between Mangaluru and Bengaluru is needed as it is not wise to depend on the ghats anymore.

He also informed that the government would be upgrading the 66 KV substations to 110 KV substations in order to solve the electricity supply issues.

Regarding the Mangaluru airport, he said that it does not yet have the status of ‘international airport’ as there is a need for runway expansion. “Another 36 acres of land is needed for the runway expansion according to the ministry of civil aviation. This matter has been brought to the attention of the Chief Minister as the state government is responsible for the acquisition of land,” he said.

Speaking about the moral policing menace in the district, he said that it was a hindrance to tourism and that IT companies were refusing to open offices in the district because of it. He then requested the people and politicians not to encourage moral policing.