Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MD)
Mangaluru, Jul 24: Seven roads will be concreted in the city limits and the foundation stone for these works will be laid on Monday July 27, said mayor Jacintha Alfred.
Addressing a press meet here on Friday July 24 to brief about the various development plans for the city, the mayor said, "The government has given funds for various development works. Seven roads in the city will be concreted and district incharge minister Ramanath Rai and urban development minister Vinay Kumar Sorake will lay the foundation stones for the works July 27," she said.
The seven roads are: Konchady to Kavoor (690 mt) at Rs 2 crore; Pachanady main road (510 mt) at a cost of of Rs 1.5 crore; Malady court road (800 mt) at Rs 2 crore; Ladyhill circle to Koragajja Gudi (365 mt) at Rs 1.9 crore; Durga Mahal to Bokkapatna Church (600 mt) at Rs 1.65 crore; Subhashnagar to Mangaladevi Temple (1,500 mt) at Rs 4.65 crore including footpath; and Kadri main entrance to Kadri Temple (105 mt) at Rs 1 crore including footpath.
Asked about lack of footpaths in the city, the mayor said, "We have called tenders for footpath work about five or six times. Rs 22 crore was given by the government and we had package tenders. But there are only three or four contractors who take up work costing over Rs one crore, and they are already overburdened. Hence no contractor responded to the tenders. Now smaller tenders will be called and the work will be divided so that smaller contractors can take up the works and finish them. We will discuss this in the council meeting and send proposal to the government."
Town Hall renovation
Regarding the stalled Town Hall renovation work, the mayor said that tender was called on July 21 to undertake work on acoustics, panelling, sound system, stage, lights, false ceilings and catwalk at a cost of Rs 98 lac. "Three contractors have submitted their bids and they are been examined," she said.
Tender was called on July 21 for seating arrangement and flooring also, and two contractors have submitted their bids. The work will be undertaken at a cost of Rs 60 lac, the mayor said.
For air conditioning at a cost Rs 48 lac and cable and generator work at a cost of Rs 49 lac, the tenders will be called on July 24.
When reporters asked when the work is expected to complete, Jacintha said, "We have called all the tenders and by Monday the work order will be issued and work will resume immediately. By November the work will be complete."
Markets and Pumpwell bus bay
The mayor said that detail project reports on Central Market and markets at Kankanady, Kadri, Suratkal, Alake, Kavoor, Kulshekar and Kaikamba are almost ready and will be sent to the government for approval.
Regarding the proposed bus bay at Pumpwell, the mayor said that two companies - Kishore Architects and Interphase Architects - have come forward will hold presentations on Saturday July 25, after which further course of action will be decided.
Jalligudde water issue
Regarding the issue of water scarcity in Jalligudde, which daijiworld had highlighted on Thursday July 23, the mayor said that a problem at Thumbe dam and led to the crisis.
"The transformer at Thumbe dam had spoilt, and once it was repaired, the pump stopped working. There have been some electricity problems and we are repairing spare pumps so that such problems do not recur. Last time some of the machines were washed off during construction of Thumbe dam. We are taking all necessary action so that there will not be any problem."
MCC superintendent engineer Kantharaj said, "The pipe which goes though Padil railway track was blocked. We are removing that pipe and replacing it and by this evening the problem will be solved."
Soon after the press meet, residents of Jalligudde, led by CITU, who had come to protest over the water issue gheraoed the officials and demanded immediate action in the matter.
The mayor promised to visit their area by evening and resolve the issue. She also said that water tankers are being sent as a temporary measure. However, one of the residents said that the water tanker comes only once in three days and does not reach everyone.