Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Mar 28: "Congress ministers are trying to misguide people with fake promises of upgrading the Suratkal market," said former minister Krishna J Palemar.

Addressing a press meet here on Tuesday March 28, Palemar said, "A year ago, the foundation stone was laid by chief minister Siddaramaiah for shifting the existing market to the Kendra Maidan, which is a 'Gomaala' (cattle grazing) area, at Suratkal. Even after a year of laying the foundation stone nothing has been done. It was the duty of the chief minister secretriat to collect information about the progress of the work on Suratkal market.

"During my tenure, I had sent a proposal for the project with an estimated budget of Rs 120 crore, but it was not approved by the administration. In order to upgrade the existing market, Rs 3 crore has been sanctioned and makeshift arrangements have been made for 87 shops of Suratkal market at Kendra Maidan (cattle grazing land) at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore to facilitate the construction of a new building at the existing market place," he added.

He also said that MCC was using the cattle grazing land to build the new Suratkal market building, instead of doing so at the existing place. "The MCC is trying to misguide people by planning to construct permanent market at the cattle grazing land instead of temporary market. MCC is not permitted to construct permanent market at the cattle grazing land. Even the local association objected to these development works and notice has been issued through the court. There is no proof that that only a temporary market is being constructed. Even the MCC officials are unaware about the project.

"MCC has no right to construct the permanent market at the area which is meant for cattle grazing. I urge to stall the works," he added.

Bharath Shetty said, "The local minister alleged that the opposition party is trying to interrupt the development work. We have always supported every development work at Suratkal. There is a need for proper planning of the project. If you notice, every project is half done, be it bus stand, market or road constuction and none of the projects is completed. MCC needs to plan the project and execute it accordingly, only then will people support the development works."

Corporator Tilak Raj and Ashok Kumar were present.

Do not interfere in Suratkal's development: MLA Bava

Last week, in a press meet Mangaluru north MLA Mohiuddin Bava had given a list of development works in Suratkal and said, "A tender has been invited for the construction of a new bus stand at Suratkal which will come up at an estimated cost of Rs 2 crore. Funds have been also alloted for the new market and auto rickshaw stand. We will hand over these facilities to public before monsoons."

"The road from Kalikamba to Suratkal will be converted into a six-lane road at the cost of Rs 6 crore which has been alloted by the state government. The new RTO office at Suratkal is ready for operation. We are awaiting the confirmation of ministers' availability for its inauguration. We have even secured permission for a new railway bridge and a 30-bed hospital from related authorities. We will fix the dates for the foundation stone laying of these projects very soon," Bava had said.

He had further informed that a non-registered local association had expressed objection to the planned development works and even sent a notice through the court to stall the progress. "My humble request to these people is, do not try to stop the ongoing development works at Suratkal. If you continue interfering, we will also approach the court."