DC orders MSCL to replan bus shelters

Several representatives were found highlighting public criticism of the unscientific construction of bus shelters and Clock Tower by the Mangaluru Smart City Limited (MSCL).

The first-ever advisory committee meeting of the MSCL was held at the deputy commissioner’s office in the city.

Members of the committee, including MP Nalin Kumar Kateel and MLA Vedavyas Kamath, complained that the bus shelters were being installed at a cost of Rs 25 lakh under the Mangaluru Smart City Mission (MSCM), but not designed keeping public convenience in mind. “The Clock Tower too, when completed, will double the traffic congestion in the area,” they insisted.

Other important projects discussed included a multi-level building for car parking in Hampankatta and an inter-city bus stand near Mahaveer (Pumpwell) Circle.

Deputy Commissioner Sasikanth Senthil, who responded to the complaints, has ordered officials to halt the construction of the bus shelters in the present design and redesign the shelters, sources told DH.

One-way traffic

Mangaluru City Corporation Commissioner K Bhaskar Moily told DH that it was decided to implement one-way traffic system between the new Clock Tower and AB Shetty Circle in order to ease traffic congestion.

Members who attended the meeting have confirmed that the MSCL has served termination notice to its consultant Wadia Techno-Engineering services. Justifying the move, the members said that the consultant had been submitting projects without consulting stakeholders.

“The members also approved of the decision to distribute the remaining projects between other consultants like Dharmaraj, Nelson and Venkatesh Pai,” sources have said.

New MD

The government decision to appoint Narayappa as full-time managing director of the MSCL was welcomed by the members. Vedavyas Kamath attributed the government move to persistent efforts on their part. He expressed hope that MSCL projects that had been lagging would gain momentum under a full-time MD.

MCC Commissioner Mohammed Nazeer, who is also managing director in-charge of the MSCL, did not attend.