Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Dec 11: The residents of the city are given the opportunity to make the city as the best in the country. However, the public has given a lukewarm response to the online survey. At present, Mangaluru city ranks fifth in Karnataka. Still a few days are left for the public to participate in the survey.

The Union housing and urban affairs ministry has begun a campaign from November 9 to December 23 to announce the comfort of living index. Mangaluru Smart city is also in the race. However, till 24 days of completion of the survey, only 1,150 people have taken part in the online survey. According to officials, by now, at least 5,000 people should have responded.

This campaign is going on in other districts of Karnataka also. Shivamogga (1573), Belagavi (1903), Tumakuru (676), Davanagere (1567), Kalaburagi (235) Vijayapura (266), Mysuru (348), Bengaluru (19555) and Hubballi-Dharwad (559) are also in the contest. At present Bengaluru is in first place while Kalaburagi is at the end. Belagavi, Shivamogga and Davanagere are in second, third and fourth spot respectively. The Union government will give the best city award based on the quality of living of the citizens.

Mangaluru Smart City is participating in two other campaigns also. Union government has come up with Transport4all campaign in order to make transport facility popular in cities. Similarly, Street campaign is also being held to make the streets of city model ones.

Last year, Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) was ranked 20th with 53.59 index. The city scored in quality of life 54.78, financial capacity 11.96, stability 50.31 and public participation 76.40. In civic administration efficiency MCC got 42nd place with 38.16 score, service 52.61, financial section 56.58, technology 18.70, projects 15.67 and administration 31.04.

The Smart City campaign to choose Mangaluru as the best city with regards to comfort of life will be online till December 23. The public can participate in the survey on a website or QR code. As soon as one clicks, the survey page gets opened. The page contains language, name, employment, state and city. In the next page questions centred on the city are asked. These can be answered by choosing the answer which the person feels appropriate.

Arun Prabha, Smart City general manager said, “Mangaluru city is also competing in the comfort of life index competition. Participation of residents is very important. The public can express their opinions by opening the link. We aim to have at least 10,000 citizens participating in the survey.”