Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Aug 29: Former MLA, J R Lobo, has accused the concerned of wasting money meant for city development under the smart city project and that the basic objective of the project is being thrown to the wind.

"The old port and fishing activity there have contributed significantly to the inclusion of this city under the smart city project. Through this project, infrastructure could have been provided and financial schemes could have been introduced there. The smart city funds could have been used to develop tourism, information technology, industries, port, fisheries and educational centres. But the money under the smart city project is being used for road development and underground drainage works, which should have been attended by the city corporation," he complained.

Lobo said that when he was the legislator, he had got about Rs 650 crore grant sanctioned to the KUDCEMP for executing drinking water and underground drainage system. Those projects are being implemented now. He said that the road under Sagar Mala scheme that passes from the Netravati river bank to New Mangalore port via the old port, Sultan Battery and Bengre, could have been executed under the smart city project. If the amount was insufficient, money could have been pooled from the central and state governments to implement the scheme, he said in a release.