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

Mangaluru, May 8: "Waste management in the city is already being handled by a private company and since it is has been only three months, it is yet to reach cent percent target. But in the coming days, the waste management project will reach the target," said mayor Jacintha Alfred.

She was speaking at the meeting hall of Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Thursday May 7 after she and deputy mayor Purushotham Chitrapur were felicitated by the KCCI. On the occasion, the KCCI handed over a 12-point memorandum to the mayor regarding development plans for the city.

Addressing the gathering, the mayor said, "I thank KCCI for the honour. I thank the president, the office bearers and all the members of KCCI for their valuable suggestions.

"Another point in the memorandum is about developing Boloor crematorium. The local MLA J R Lobo has already planned to develop this crematorium under PPP model. Regarding traffic conjession and footpaths we will call a meeting of corporation officials and a member of KCCI. Let us make an action plan to solve these issues," she said.

"Regarding spread of malaria, our previous mayor had already made a committee to deal with the menace. Meetings are conducted every week and necessary action has been taken. KCCI has been doing a great job and I request you to continue this in the coming days," she added.

Deputy mayor Purushotham Chitrapur said, "I thank KCCI for giving their valuable suggestions through this memorandum. I know the cess levied on industries for the waste management is high. But this cess is fixed by the officials in Bengaluru. We have already formed a committee and it will be reduced in the coming year. Regarding development of Mangaluru into a smart city, it is a project by the central government, and if it happens, there will be growth of real estate and industries in this region.

"In the first phase we had concentrated more on concreting of roads. Now we have called tenders for construction of footpaths and underground drainage system. But contractors are not taking the contract as it involves lot of trouble like shifting of pipes and opening encroachment. So we have decided now that along with concreting, footpaths and drainage will also be included in the tender," he said.

"Mangaluru is becoming the capital of malaria menace and in this regard we have taken necessary steps to control the endemic. A team of experts from Germany has come to Mangaluru to research on the reasons for increase in malaria cases in the city. We have already formed a team of expert doctors," he added.

Nigam Vasani, president of KCCI welcomed the gathering.

KCCI's 12-point memorandum to Jacintha Alfred and Purushotham Chitrapur included various demands like reducing the solid waste management cess on industries, making Mangaluru a smart city destination, developing the Boloor cremation, construction of footpaths, take up projects and action to reduce traffic conjession, to promote brand Mangaluru to encourage tourism, manufacturing, IT and employment generation, to invite companies at special economic zone (SEZ), to set up substation in export promotion industrial park at Ganjimutt, to promote information technology initiative, improvement of Nehru Maidan ground and enforcement of Provisions of Food Safety and Standard (FSSAI) Act.

Treasurer M Ganesh Bhat, vice-president Rammohan Pai Maroor, honorary secretary Ananth G Pai and others were present.