Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Feb 1: State minister for urban development, B A Byrathi Basavaraj took some officials concerned to task for not completing development works under the Smart City project.He was chairing a review meeting on Smart City projects at the Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) on Tuesday February 1.

Minister Basavaraj had received complaints regarding roads being dug for development works and then left incomplete causing inconvenience to the public. He had also been apprised of issues regarding garbage dumping.  He questioned the health department officials for alleged irregularities.Minister Basavaraj said, "Next month I will once again review progress in these areas. I should not receive any complaints regarding garbage. I will pay a surprise visit to Mangaluru and if I find any lapses I will suspend the officials concerned.

MCC Commissioner Akshy Shridhar explained about the works in progress under the Mahatma Gandhi Vikas Yojana, 15th finance commission, SFC special funds and several other projects along with the Smart City ones.The minister urged the officials and MCC commissioner Akshy Shridhar not to delay the pending works and complete them at the earliest.

He also said, "Priority should also be given to collect the pending, especially the advertisement tax. Take some firm decisions to complete the pending works. In a few months time, the monsoon will arrive. So there is an urgent need to complete all the works before March 2023."

Mangaluru North MLA Dr Bharath Y Shetty urged the minister to take a decision over giving policing powers to the corporation similar to the forest department. There are lots of street vendors violating the rules and without the policing powers to the corporation, action cannot be taken against them, he said.

Minister B A Byrathi Basavaraj said, "The corporation should take steps to provide TDR to the beneficiaries immediately. It has come to my notice that TDR has not been provided for the past 10-12 years which is causing a lot of problems. If the TDR is given on time then more people will come forward to hand over their land for developmental works. If TDR is delayed no one will come forward."

MLC Manjunath Bhandary pointed out that under the Smart City project focus is needed on developing fishing activity and the old port which will attract more investors. "This will increase employment and revenue generation. Smart City project's main objective is to reduce the pressure from the commercial cities. It is not just about developing roads and drainage," he said.

In response Minister B A Byrathi Basavaraj said, "In all, Rs 200 crore has been allotted for the water front development which also includes the development of fishing and old port."Deputy Commissioner Dr K V Rajendra, Mayor Premananda Shetty and others were present.