Zero traffic zone proposed on the lines of 'China Street'

MLA blames officials for hurdles; Mallya Jn-Kadri Park stretch marked

How about taking a stroll on a stretch of road from Srinivas Mallya statue junction to Kadri Park without traffic? Sounds nice and could be a reality, if the authorities will, as it has been proposed to make the particular stretch of road off Mangaluru-Udupi Road, ‘zero traffic zone’.

Mangaluru South MLA J R Lobo on Tuesday said: “It has been planned to create a traffic-free atmosphere for walkers on the model of China Street, but officials are unwilling thus dragging their feet on the same.”

Saying that the park is the only lung space available in abundance in the city, Lobo said, “It has been planned to develop a dedicated corner for the benefit of specially abled visitors, irrespective of visually challenged, physically challenged and hearing impaired persons, at a cost of Rs 30 lakh.”

A musical fountain at a cost of Rs five crore will be coming up at the other part of the park (formerly Deer Park), while the toy train that has gone defunct will resume in a new look. The Department of Women and Child Development is giving Rs 70 lakh for the purpose. The office of ZP CEO has already invited tenders for the work.

He said the Horticulture Department is the current custodian of the park  and it is facing procedural hurdles for timely development of the park. Lobo laid emphasis on forming a dedicated society under the chairmanship of deputy commissioner to monitor the administration of the park. Besides, resources can be mobilised by launching entry tickets system, he noted.

He also reminded the authorities that an amount of Rs 2 crore has been earmarked for laying inter-locking tiles for walking path in the park under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (Amrut).

Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer P I Sreevidya said, “We are toying with the idea of re-introducing toy train service for Children’s Day. But it depends on the completion of the work. The work on designing the train has been entrusted to South Western Railway (SWR), having a dedicated workshop in Mysuru. The track inside the park will also be re-designed and a separate tender will be invited.”