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Mangaluru: Lack of planning in development projects, sea erosion issue highlighted at meet

  •   Sun, May 07 2017 10:43:00 AM

Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru May 7: Citizens' Forum for Mangalore Development on Saturday May 6 organized a discussion programme on ‘Mangaluru's Experience with Infrastructure Projects' at Roshni Nilaya, School of Social Work here.

Research students Jillian Flanagan, Aman Ahmed and Mahvash Sayed briefed about ADB-funded infrastructure projects in Mangaluru and said, "Asian Development Bank (ADB) aims to promote social and economic development in Asia. But we lack proper environment and planning in any development work and we are unaware whether the goals are materialized. We have good resources yet we prefer outsiders for funds."

Speaking about Ullal sea erosion issue, they said, "Sustainable Coastal Protection and Management Investment Program has been introduced for the protection of coastline where excessive erosion takes place and results in loss of livelihood every now and then. We are not fully utilizing our resources to prevent loss of life or property and this is our drawback. No concrete measures have been taken to prevent sea erosion. We can notice geo textile bags dumped at the shoreline to control sea erosion but at the same time we should know whether it is a short term plan or a long term investment. This could be a successful measure in other parts of the world, but it does not mean it can be successful in this geographical condition of our area. We prefer experimentation. Crores of rupees have been spent every monsoon to protect a few kilometres of the beach."

M Raghavan from NGO task force on ADB funded loan project said, "ADB loan project was started in 2006 and the time limit to implement the project is 20 years, which concludes in the year 2026. The project is going on in a very slow pace. It is unfortunate that the authorities frequently fail to resolve civic woes. A total of Rs 890 crore has been spent just on cutting one metre of grass under KUDCEMP."

Taking a dig at MLA J R Lobo, mechanical engineer Sumit Rao said, "He used to mention the name of contractor Dharmaraj every now and then regarding project completion coming up at the local level. But being a mechanical engineer, even I can do better than Dharmaraj."

Social activist Vidya Dinaker welcomed the gathering.
  

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Comment on this article

  • The Tax Paying Citizen, Mangalore

    Mon, May 08 2017

    Unfortunately, there exists a "Coterie" of self-serving people who influence all the decisions of the Mangalore City Corporation by and large. And this group of people always is at a forefront for any project, be it grants from ADB or Smart City. Irrespective of whichever party is in power, they are the ones that are calling the shots.

    Absolute lack of long term vision is their trademark. They have been involved in the concretization of roads, yet many of the roads do not have storm water drains. In a few places where storm water drains have indeed been constructed, the storm water still flows on the roads, due to unscientific slopes. Further the water and drainage lines have been left as-is, while laying concrete. This leads to cutting the concrete roads whenever there is a leakage or breakage. Lack of planning = repeat work = constant spend of tax payers' money. Who benefits from this is anybody's guess!

    It is high time for the Government to appoint an independent body comprising of progressive citizens like Mrs Vidya Dinaker, which will not only be a part of the planning process, but also will closely watch the works undertaken to ensure quality. Hope this happens soon.

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • L N Rego, Bendur

    Sun, May 07 2017

    Its nice to note the proceedings of the meet. As name of Dharnaraj is nentioned let mm e be loud and clear, He is a man with no vision and always comes with his own ugenda. Best example is mess up in the accounts Mangala hall of MCC. Even though Mr Lobos efforts are commendable the pace of the work should pick up. If possible please please keep away people lije Dharmaraj who thinks he is the maker of New Mangaluru.

    DisAgree Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • J.F.D SOUZA, Attavar, Mangalore

    Sun, May 07 2017

    Dharmaraj is a hot tempered man. He can do nothing. Why the MCC has taken his services when other good and capable engineers are there. We are talking about sea erosion for the last 15 to 20 years. But no concrete steps have been taken so far. When next rainy season comes and sea erosion starts all Ministers including CM will come give their opinion and go. This is what happening for the last so many years. Whatever it is the Development projects and works taken should be completed within the time stipulated and not dragged for years together. This is all happening now.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Sun, May 07 2017

    Use cement tripods to check sea erosion ...

    DisAgree Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ronald D, Udupi

    Sun, May 07 2017

    Yes, Tetrapods may be only solution. Let them do few stretches of severely affected area and then see results! It is not rocket technology. It is better to spend crores on tetrapodes than rocks and sand bags which is a real temporary solution.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Sun, May 07 2017

    Tetra-pods have held Nariman Point for last 25 years ...

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • G R PRABHUJI, MANGALORE.

    Sun, May 07 2017

    For better Mangalore it is better to change Dharmaraj and appoint young qualified civil engineer. Preferably from NITK.who is having Morden know-how.

    DisAgree Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse


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