'Smart City to focus on waterfront development'

Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner Sasikanth Senthil S said that Smart City Mission will focus on waterfront area development in Mangaluru.

He was speaking to mediapersons during a meeting-cum-discussion on Smart City projects at Mangala Auditorium in Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) building here, on Monday.

“The development of waterfront areas will promote trade and thus help in improvement of the economy.”

The waterfront development projects, proposed in five packages and at an estimated cost of Rs 235 crore, under Smart City Mission is still in its nascent stage, he said.

Senthil, further, said of the 65 projects proposed under the Mission, 50 projects will be taken up in the jurisdiction of eight wards—Court, Central Market, Bunder, Port, Cantonment, Hoigebazar, Mangaladevi and Bolara. The remaining 15 projects will cover the entire city, he added.

To furnish comprehensive details on Smart City projects, the authorities have been directed to set up a separate website, he added. The website will also furnish details on the progress of the development works and floating of tenders as well.

He said that the Smart City project is different from other projects. It is not necessary for the Mangaluru Smart City Ltd to take the approval from the council of City Corporation for all the projects proposed.

The members of Council of MCC alleged that they do not get any details on the Smart City projects and were kept in dark. The members, further, said that the suggestions of the council members were not sought while implementing the projects.

“The development works in the wards should be discussed with the council members,” they demanded.

Corporator A C Vinayraj said that the projects to be taken up under the mission should be able to generate revenue to the corporation. They should also create job opportunities.

Member (Opposition) Roopa D Bangera alleged that already developed roads were taken up under Smart City project for development. “This will amount to wastage of tax payers money.” She also objected to the construction of Smart bus shelters as well.

Senthil, however, said that Smart City projects were taken up as per the guidelines under Smart City Mission. Smart Road and Smart bus shelter are unique concept under the project.

Abattoir shift

Senthil said that there was no move to shift the abattoir from Kudroli to the outskirts of the city.

There is only a proposal to modernise the slaughterhouse, he said and added that Rs 15 crore earmarked for modernising the abattoir was not final. The estimate might reduce once the proposal is finalised.

MSCL to get MD

Mangaluru Smart City Ltd, a special purpose vehicle, constituted for implementing the projects under the Smart City Mission, will get a full time MD next month, said Mayor Bhaskar K.

The officer appointed is on a Lok Sabha by-election work in Ballari and will take charge after the election, he added.