Mr. Kateel said that the project would give employment to about 2,500 local fishermen from Sasihitlu, Thokuru, Surathkal, Baikampady, Panambur, Tannirbhavi and Chitrapur areas. In addition, 1,700 persons would benefit from distributing and marketing fish and setting up shore-based establishments. It would take two years to build the jetty and other infrastructure required. Once ready, it would reduce pressure on the fishing harbour at the old port. About 11 acres of land is available for the project in Kulai and Hosabettu villages without any issues, he said. Referring to the financing pattern, he said that the Ministry of Shipping will bear ? 98.25 crore (50 %) under the Sagarmala Project, the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries of the Union government and NMPT will invest ? 88.43 crore (45 %) and the State government will contribute ? 9.83 crore (5 %). The construction work would include dredging, constructing breakwaters in the north and the south of the proposed jetty, reclamation of land and revetment with stone pitching. He said that the four-lane highway upgrading project between Mangaluru and Karkala via Moodbidri is expected to be launched by this year-end after the final land acquisition notification is issued. The project would have two by-passes one at Moodbidri and the other at Gurupura. A new bridge would be built across the Phalguni near Gurupura. The road between BC Road and Madantyar would be upgraded as a four-lane carriageway in the first stage.