TNN

Mangalore, Mar 20: The operation and maintenance of the city’s streetlights will be done differently from now on. The Mangalore City Corporation has called for fresh tenders for the purpose. The city’s 60 wards have been divided into four zones of 15 wards each.

MCC’s contention is that it would be difficult for one contractor to manage all the wards. Last year, the BJP while in the opposition, had opposed the present system of awarding streetlight operation and maintenance at a higher rate, which it said, was unnecessary. The party had also disrupted several council meetings in the previous term by raising the issue.

When it came to power the party had made it clear that the system would be changed, as there were several complaints. Complaints were not being attended to properly and streetlights were not being switched on and off. The elected representatives too faced problem because of this.

In the present arrangement, the contractor will have all the responsibilities of operation and maintenance of the streetlights, including switching on and off the lights.

MCC has put Ward Nos. 1 to 13 and 15 and 60 in Zone 1. Zone 2 will comprise Ward Nos 23 to 34, 16, 17 and 38. Ward Nos 39 to 48 and 55 to 59, will fall under Zone 3. Zone 4 will include Ward Nos 18 to 22, 35 to 37, 49 to 54 and 14.

Executive Engineer Rajashekhar told The Times of India that as the present contract would come to an end in April, MCC had invited fresh tenders. “We have now decided to decentralise by dividing the city into four zones. The technical bid will be opened at the MCC on April 7 at 4.30 pm and the corporation had decided to open the finance bids of only those who succeeded in the technical bid.