Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Oct 30: Addressing a meeting organized on Monday October 29 for providing information about the Smart City project to the city corporators here, deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada, Sasikanth Senthil, stated that a separate website would be launched about the smart city project to keep the people's representatives and general public informed about all the material information relating to the project.
He said that the new website will contain information about all the sanctioned and implemented development projects under Smart City. "With this website, everyone will get up to date information about the implementation of Small City project," he explained.
Noting that there is lack of proper information among the general public about Smart City project, he said that Smart City project is vastly different from the other development projects of the government. "The works under the project will result in affective development in urban areas. I need wholehearted cooperation and support of everyone for its success," he added.
The corporators belonging to both ruling and opposition parties expressed resentment at the fact that they are not kept properly informed about the project. Many including Mahabala Marla, Harinath, A C Vinayaraj, Naveen D'Souza and Appi said they know more about their respective wards as compared to officials, but many a time, unnecessary projects are undertaken in some areas within their wards without bringing them into their consideration. Another corporator, Roopa D Bangera, questioned the efficacy of conducting such a meeting without seeking suggestions from the corporators at the stage of project implementation.
One of the corporators, Sudheer Shetty, questioned the rationale behind setting aside Rs 15 crore for the development of the slaughterhouse at Kudroli at a time when it is proposed to be shifted elsewhere. The DC said that there is no proposal at present to shift the slaughterhouse. "We have set aside this amount, but actually so much money will not be spent. After the preparation of detailed project report, estimate will be drawn up. At that stage, we will come to know the actual amount involved," he explained.
The DC said that under Smart City project, it is proposed to develop roads passing through the riversides, adding that like Kochi and Mumbai, this city has a chance to be shaped into a 'Water Front' city. "There is a proposal to develop eight wards falling under old Mangaluru by implementing 65 projects like multi-level car parking, Pumpwell bus stand, central market development etc," he explained.
It is learnt that B H Narayanappa, hitherto functioning as the commissioner of Ballari City Corporation, will take charge as the managing director of Mangaluru Smart City Ltd.
City mayor, Bhaskar K, presided. Deputy mayor, Muhammed, city corporation commissioner, Muhammed Nazeer, and others were present.