Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (CLP)

Mangaluru, Jan 24: "The sewage treatment plant under KUDCEMP at Suratkal, which will help clean dirty water flowing within the limits of the city corporation, will be inaugurated soon," said urban development minister Vinay Kumar Sorake in a press meet organized at DC's office here on Friday, January 23.

Addressing the media he said, "The sewage treatment plant is a step to make Mangaluru malaria-free. We have now three functional plants. The plant at Suratkal will be opened soon." One of the sewage treatment plants was inaugurated by Sorake at Jeppinamogaru on Friday.

Speaking about the solid waste management project which was inaugurated on January 23 at Karavali Utsav ground, he said, "The project will be effective from February 1. All the sixty wards will come under this project. The waste will be segregated into dry and wet, thus Mangaluru will become a clean city soon."

"We have already allotted Rs 22 crore under SFC scheme, Rs five crore for Kadri Deer Park development, and vented dam at Thumbay has been allotted Rs 75 crore. In the second phase, for providing 24x7 drinking water facility for Mangaluru Rs 160 crore has been allotted and for underground drainage project (UGD) Rs 120 crore has been set aside. For Puttur drinking water facility and UGD, Rs 15 crore and Rs 75 crore have been sanctioned respectively. In case the requirement is more, we are ready to sanction extra grants also," he said.

"Rs 75 crore has been allotted for Moodbidri UGD project. Rs 65.6 crore will be allotted for the second phase of drinking water project in Sullia, and for Bantwal drinking water project and UGD Rs 52.8 crore and Rs 49.2 crore will be allotted respectively. To provide drinking water for Kukke Shree Subrahmanya Temple Rs 8.6 crore and Rs 7 crore for UGD will be spent by the temple trust and the work will done by the water board," Sorake said.

"There are plans to develop six markets in Mangaluru under PPP model. Loans also will be given through KUDCEMP at cheaper interest rates. All the urban poor people who live on government lands will be given title deeds soon. Section 94 CC of the Karnataka Land Revenue act Amendment has been passed in both Houses and is awaiting governor’s nod. All those who are living in the city will be given house numbers and all other land related issues will be addressed," he assured.

Tax collection

"Town planning scheme is successful in other states, it will be implemented here soon. In order to make Mangaluru a Smart City, tax collection has to be taken seriously. In Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) last year, we collected only Rs 1,200 crore. After review, we found that BBMP was supposed collect around Rs 4,000 crore," he said.

"There is also a big problem in the collection of tax in Mangaluru. We have various demands for basic facilities in the city, but many are not ready to pay tax. In order to have effective tax collection, within a month online tax collection will start in six wards. If the plan becomes successful, it will be implemented in all 60 wards in Mangaluru. It is the responsibility of the citizens to pay the tax and help in making Mangaluru a Smart City," Sorake said.

A B Ibrahim, deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada district, Mahabala Marla Mayor, Hephsiba Rani Korlapati MCC commissioner, MLAs J R Lobo and Mohiuddin Bawa were present at the press meet.