Multi-storeyed bus stand at Pumpwell gets council nod

The Mangalore City Corporation council on Monday, approved the proposal to construct a multi-storeyed bus stand complex in 7.23 acre land at Pumpwell.

With this, the long -pending demand to develop a full-fledged bus stand could be a reality.

In the monthly council meeting, the 60-members council approved the proposal and decided to get the blueprint done for the bus stand from the expert architects.

Mayor Mahabala Marla said that the poor families that are residing on the government land that is reserved for the bus stand, will be rehabilitated.

The work could be started in the available land than waiting for further acquisition, he said.

With an intention to build the bus stand, 7.23 acre land was acquired by the MCC in 2008. Rs three crore has been reserved for the construction of the bus stand under Rs 100 crore chief minister’s fund.

Malaria menace

The City Corporation has considered the rise in malaria cases seriously and has decided to follow the system adopted in Chennai and Mumbai to tackle malaria.

A diesel based liquid has been produced by Bharath Petroleum to destroy larvae in mosquito breeding sites. The MCC has obtained report on the use of the particular chemical and found that it has no side effects.

The report will be referred to the standing committee for health for pursuing further, he said.

When the corporators complained of the unavailability of sprayers for fogging, MCC Health Officer Dr Manjaiah Shetty said that when the tender was called for hiring 30 sprayers on contract basis, only 11 were available. The department is facing acute shortage of sprayers, he said.

No decision on tax

On the issue of hiking the property tax, the BJP councillors blamed the Mayor for the delay and demanded to take quick decision.

Opposition leader Premananda Shetty said that though the Mayor in the last council meeting had promised of convening a separate meeting to discuss about the property tax and solid waste management cess, the meeting has not been convened so far.

In reply, the Mayor said that he has written to the government questioning the decision of the Administrator on hiking the tax when model code of conduct was in force.

“The meeting can be convened and decision can be taken only after the government replies to the letter,” he said.

The corporators alleged the contractors who have been given e-tender for maintaining street lights, have failed in their duty and the street lights from Yeyyadi to Marakada have been damaged.

There is no maintenance and the quality of the cable is poor, complained Harinath.

Reacting to it, MCC Commissioner Ajith Kumar Hegde said that he would order for a third party inspection and quality check by experts of NITK Surathkal.

If the work is found to be defective, then action will be taken against the contractor.