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

Mangaluru, Nov 21: Urban development minister Vinay Kumar Sorake and Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister Ramanath Rai on Saturday November 21 inaugurated the long-pending Bejai market building, years after work on it first began. Only the first phase of the complex, comprising three of the total six floors, was opened.

Prior to the inauguration of the Bejai market, the ministers along with other dignataries also inaugurated two concrete roads and work on nine footpaths in various parts of the city.

Ramanath Rai and Vinay Kumar Sorake also unveiled the plaque at the Bejai market building.

Addressing the gathering, Ramanath Rai said, "This market was long-awaited. MLA J R Lobo and MLC Ivan D'Souza were repeatedly raising this issue in KDB meetings. I am happy to inaugurate the building today. It has been about 10 years since this work was started, and finally we have opened it today.

"Mangaluru is number one in many aspects. MCC has provided all the basic infrastructure and other facilities step by step. Mangaluru has to make it to the first list of 20 Smart Cities, and in this direction, we have already taken action. Mangaluru received funds under ADB first phase during S M Krishna government and now shortly, we will get funds of Rs 500 crore under ADB second phase," Rai said.

"Many commissioners have worked for the development of the city in the past, and one among them is former MCC commissioner MLA J R Lobo and now deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim. Lancelot Pinto also has done good work for the development of Bejai. MCC has very good council members who are working tirelessly for the development of the city. I congratulate MCC and all the residents of this area on the inauguration of this market," he added.

Vinay Sorake said, "Today, after 10 years, this market has been inaugurated. We have undertaken various developmental works in the city. Foundation has been laid for many of the works today, and some roads have been inaugurated. Mangaluru has entered the Smart City list because of its potential, and because it meets the criteria given by the central government, it has scored the highest marks. The central government will take up 20 cities in the first phase of the Smart City project and another 40 in second phase and remaining 40 in the third phase. In the next three years all the 100 cities chosen will be developed into Smart Cities. Out of the 6 chosen from Karnataka, Mangaluru stands first in all the aspects. Good preparations have been done by the MCC for the proposal which has to be sent shortly to the central government for qualifying in the first list."

Lauding J R Lobo he said, "MLA J R Lobo brought ADB funds in the first phase when he was the MCC commissioner. Today he is MLA and people have lots of expectations from him, and he is working towards achieving them. In the second phase, we will get Rs 280 crore from ADB which is not enough for the total underground drainage work that has to be undertaken, hence, the remaining part of the Rs 500 crore will be taken as aid from German bank.

"If Mangaluru is selected in the first list of 20 cities, it will get Rs 1,000 crore for 5 years, out of which Rs 500 will be from the centre and Rs 500 from state. Work on Thumbay vented dam is being undertaken at a cost of Rs 70 crore by the urban development department. Also, proposals are being prepared for the development of Kadri, Kankanady and Central markets, and they would be developed in the coming days," he added.

"Sewage treatment plant (STP) has been inaugurated in Jeppinamogaru and tomorrow (November 22) another STP will be inaugurated in Katipalla. Mangaluru has the maximum number of concrete roads as compared to other cities. The problem Mangaluru is facing is in the collection of self-assessment property tax. This tax is once in a year but people are not ready to pay it. We are ready to spend money on mobile phone charges every month but not ready to pay tax. I request all eligible citizens to pay the tax and make MCC financially stronger," he urged.

He also informed that ward committees and citizens' forum will be formed soob and suggestions from public will be taken on various development works.

MLA J R Lobo said, "There were many problems in completing this market, but finally it has been inaugurated today. Even though the work was delayed, a modern market has been built here. More than the market building, what is important is its maintenance. I suggest the corporation to form a society to look after the maintanence of this market. The society should consist of people who own shops in the market. Distribution of the shops should be done immediately.

"Funds under ADB second phase have been approved by the state cabinet and approval is awaited from the centre. I assure that there are many projects planned for Mangaluru and they will be implemented step by step," he added.

MLC Ivan D'Souza said, "It is really a matter of great joy that this market has been inaugurated after 10 long years. This market has been built at a cost of approximately Rs 4 crore. There was a request from the people of this area and today it has been built systematically. I congratulate MCC on completing the work on this market."

J R Lobo and corporators Lancelot Pinto and Prakash B Salian were felicitated by United Friends Bejai on the occasion.

Mayor Jacintha Alfred, deputy mayor Purushotham Chitrapur, MUDA chairman Ibrahim Kodijal, former mayor Shashidhar Hegde and others were present.