TNN

Mangalore, Aug 3: Mangalore City Corporation is virtually racing against a deadline to utilize the Rs 100 crore special grant provided to it by the state government. The corporation has to utilize Rs 50 crore released to it on or before September 15, failing which it has to surrender the unutilized money to the government. If the civic body utilizes the same and sends the utilization certificate, the government will release the remaining Rs 50 crore.

Mayor M Shankar Bhat chairing the monthly meeting of the corporation here on Friday took note of the concerns expressed by corporators on the misery that people were facing on account of the massive road concretisation drive taken by the body. This has led to repeated traffic snarls in many places across the city, corporators said adding that in some case people utilizing the road have been put to grave danger.

Noting that heavy rain had scuttled or pushed back a road map drawn up by the body to start and in some places complete the road concretisation work, the mayor assured the agitated corporators that all the works would be completed in the next two years. Bhat also informed them about the condition imposed by the government on utilization of Rs 100 crore special and additional Rs 50 crore SFC grants given to the corporation.

Stating that the DC, who is the nodal officer to oversee works undertaken using the special grants, the mayor said the DC has already warned contractors who are lagging behind in executing the works to pick up pace and finish the work as per the deadlines given to them. The inconvenience caused to the people on this account is unavoidable, but one, which would ensure that they have a smooth ride in the future, he said.