Corporators irked with MCC over parking space issue

The Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) faced severe criticism on Saturday for its inaction against owners of high-rise buildings who had converted parking space for commercial purposes.

The issue was raked up at the general meeting in the Council Hall on Saturday.

BJP Corporator Sudhir Shetty said MCC had identified 23 such high-rise buildings which had illegally converted their parking spaces into vehicle showrooms, bar or restaurants. “The basement of Saibeen complex, located opposite MCC, had been turned into Burma Bazaar,” he charged.

Officials clarified that with some owners filing petitions in court, no action could be initiated against such buildings. MCC Mayor Bhaskar K directed officials to cancel door numbers of all 23 such high-rise buildings identified by MCC.

The BJP corporators accused MCC Mayor and Commissioner of being partisan in allocating funds for developmental works. The meeting was disrupted as the corporators trooped into the well of the house and staged dharna twice. The corporators withdrew their protest when the mayor promised to release funds to wards which had not received any grants.

Officials also informed on launching a special drive against consumers who had not paid their water bills from first week of October.