Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Mar 2: Over 300 infrastructure works including the smart city project of the city corporation here have been suspended on account of cases that are going on in different courts and the state high court.

When the city corporation undertakes road widening, footpath, drain etc, the individuals who fear losing their land, approach the courts. This is one of the occasions when the works might get stalled.

Because of a number of such cases and litigations, works have been stalled. Even after grant is somehow sanctioned, because of dispute over land, it becomes very difficult to either proceed with or start the works. This has been a major problem the city corporation is facing since several years. To make sure that such things do not become stumbling blocks for the progress, the city corporation has also been trying to negotiate with the people concerned and convince them to agree for the works.

Because of not disposing of waste as per rules, as per the high court orders, smart city works have been stopped. People are facing hardships at various points in the city on account of half completed works.

Hanumantha Kamath opines that if the TDR is made compulsory, and if alternative facilities are provided by taking land owners into confidence, people might respond favourably. If TDR certificate is made mandatory, it automatically commands good value as was the case a few years back. There are 145 cases relating to works in the high court and two in Supreme Court. Eight advocates in the district court and three in the high court have been appointed to argue on behalf of the corporation.

City corporation commissioner Akshy Sridhar, says that when stay order is issued, works might get delayed. Therefore, he says that before going to the court, the corporation tries to convince the land owners and seek their cooperation. MLA Vedavyasa Kamath points out that after holding cordial discussions with owners of buildings and lands along with mayor some of the problems have been resolved. He said that preference is being given to winning over the confidence of the people and provide them alternative facility so that the works are not hampered.