Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Jan 12: The district Congress unit staged a protest here at Mangaluru City Corporation office on Tuesday January 12, over the temporarily suspended Smart City project work and called it the failure of the administration.

Addressing the protestors, former MLA J R Lobo said, “Three years ago, when Smart City project came to Mangaluru, we were so excited. But due to the mistake committed by the consultancy, we could not make it in the first phase. Later Mangaluru was included. Meanwhile, BJP came to power and had responsibility on their shoulders. The present scenario is pathetic. Smart City works are stalled and the entire city has been dug. There is lack of smartness seen in the work which shows the inefficiency. People should know the irregularities committed in Smart City works.

“The work undertaken is a common one that has to be done by the Mangaluru City Corporation. Other than Smart City works, even ADB Project and Amruth Scheme projects have come to a grinding halt. I urge the BJP not to believe this consultancy and do not fall prey to them as they work for their own benefits,” he said.

Former minister Ramanath Rai said, “Congress took up the initiative of Smart City, strived hard for the effective implementation of the same. After BJP came to power, everything has changed. Smart City works have been stopped. BJP never seeks vote by their work and also they are not worried about the problems faced by the public. They just show God’s photo and in the name of religion, they seek votes.”

District Youth Congress president Mithun Rai, district Congress president Harish Kumar, District Mahila Congress president Shalet Pinto, corporators Shashidhar Hegde, Naveen D’ Souza, MCC opposition leader Abdul Rauf and others were present.