Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network-Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Sep 21: Senior opposition leader M R Pai and Dinakar Shetty Herga raised the issue of DPR plan on constructing a new commercial building at Vishweshwaraiah market, during the general body meeting of City Municipality Council on Wednesday, September 21 at Satymurthy auditorium.

Opposition party councillors objected that the tender process done without consulting them. The tender process was held under the chairmanship of previous deputy commissioner Dr R Vishal. Mandavi builders had qualified in tender process. On May, 2016, a formal meeting was held for builders. On May 30, 2016 the project was approved.

One of the private builders qualified in both financial and technical bid participated in tender process and the report was sent to DMI authority. The CMC is now waiting for approval letter from the government. The project will take nearly two years for completion and it will work on 30 year lease.

A heated discussion was held between commissioner Manjunatayya and councillors during the meeting. 

“Process of project from tender calling to finalizing it was held objectively and transparently. If any objections are raised, there is a chance for changing the design,” he said in a bid to convince the opposition leaders. 

Yashpal Suvarna questioned engineer Shashidhar Hegde for incomplete works done by contractors.  Many works such as installing poles were done through e-tender and some of them are carried out without any estimation. From the last two years, the work was kept pending. 

Clarifying his stand, engineer Hegde said, “Third action plan has to be completed before December, otherwise funds will go back to government. The pending proposals will get completed by using 14th finance commission fund.”

Yashpal Suvarna stressed, “CMC should make use of accessible funds for the development of public interest."

Waste management, sanitation, problem of stray dogs were other issues discussed during the meeting.