TNN

Mangalore, Apr 10: The work on the skating rink, opposite the existing Kadri Park and adjacent to the MRPL petrol pump, will commence from Thursday, putting an end six-month uncertainty prevailing over the project.

Rajendra Rao Kalbavi, director of Dakshina Kannada Nirmiti Kendra (DKNK) which is the executing agency for the work, said there was uncertainty on the rink till Wednesday as they could not get clear two-metre space from the edge of the rectangular skating rink measuring 25X60 sqmt. "We wanted additional space to have visitors’ gallery and the lack of space was hindering this. The rink would have been rendered useless, after spending so much of funds..." he said, adding: "Now that the department of horticulture has given us the go ahead to utilize the existing space nearby, we will be able to take up the work from Thursday."

Horticulture department’s senior assistant director N Somaiah said earlier Mangalore Electricity Supply Company (Mescom) had agreed to pay Rs 12 lakh. "Now that the final cost has gone up to Rs 14.5 lakh, the deputy commissioner has requested the Mescom to bear the additional cost also," he added.

He said of the four acres of land available with the department, the rink would take up little less than two acres while the rest of the area would be developed into a garden with a play park for children. "The plan to convert it into a garden and children’s play area is in the offing. That will be taken up as and when the funds are made available," he added.

In November last year, the rink site was identified inside the main park near the existing children’s play area. But after the initial rush, things started moving slowly, and an alternative site was identified later. There would be no fanfare for the ground-breaking ceremony on Thursday with poll code of conduct in place.