Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Aug 6: Dakshina Kannada district deputy commissioner Sasikanth Senthil noted that widening and development of certain important roads in the city are pending because of litigations by land owners. He asked the officials to sort out the issues involved and complete pending works.
He was speaking at the meeting of smart city inter-departmental task force held at his office on Monday August 5 after presiding it over.
Senthil said that widening of important roads is of high importance in the interests of the city's future. He noted that widening, laying of drainage and other development works which were undertaken many years back, are still pending at some places. He noted that the problem has arisen as certain individuals have refused to give up land for the road. "As municipal corporation officials did not take further action, these works are pending. Although there is provision under the Land Acquisition Act to acquire land for public use, no proposals were submitted for this. Just because a couple of people are opposed, development of entire rod suffers, which is not right," he observed.
He said that wherever necessary, land of individuals can be acquired for road widening by providing TDR to land owners. If they refuse, he instructed the city corporation officials, to submit proposals to acquire such land under Land Acquisition Act for further action. He also formed a committee out of officials drawn from revenue department, city corporation, and town planning department, for solving these problems. He asked them not to enter into compromise in the matter of implementation of development works.
He asked the concerned to form a separate TDR cell where all facilities should be provided at one place in order to obviate delay caused in issuance of TDR to people losing their lands.
City corporation commissioner, Muhammed Nazeer, said that most of the land owners in road widening voluntarily sacrifice their lands but a few create problems. He said that the corporation is trying to acquire such land by issuing TDR.
The deputy commissioner instructed the officials to hasten the work of under bridge being constructed near the town hall to enable pedestrians to cross the road. He asked the officials to conduct another study on the proposal to convert the road between town hall circle to RTO into one-way. He also wanted the development of Lalbagh circle as per the guidance for road traffic rules and undertake Ladyhill circle development without delay. He asked them to hold discussions with the police department about the development of Old Kent Road. He said that a meeting with railway officials would be held during this week to consider pending road development, smart road and drainage system works because of the existence of railway land.
The deputy commissioner said that at some places, contractors are seen conducting works as per their whims and fancies without providing for any safety systems. He said that they have to set up barricades, boards, and reflectors. He also said that no safety measures are followed when cutting the road. He asked officials to act against such contractors.
Smart City managing director Narayanappa, probationary IAS officer Rahul, and officials of various departments were present.