Mangalore, Feb 5: “Projects worth Rs 461.55 crore have already been approved for Mangalore city, and work on them will be started soon. The tender process is already on for some of the projects. I will strive hard for the overall development of Mangalore city in my 5 years of tenure,” said Mangalore South MLA J R Lobo.
Addressing media persons at the district Congress office here on Wednesday, February 5, Lobo said, “Approvals have been acquired for phase II of projects under ADB, road development, drinking water facility, underground drainage facility, rain water management, and waste management system at various places at an estimated cost of Rs 350 crore and procedures are on to implement them. This will indeed be a big step towards further major developments in the city.”
He further said, “During the third quarter of this year, a 100 crore project including construction of footpaths on major roads in the city and the development a few main roads will be carried out. Approval has been obtained and the tender process is on. Rs 65 crore has been sanctioned for the project. Rs 9.26 crore sanctioned from the SFC Fund will also be utilized for the same purpose.”
On the development of important market areas in the city namely Urwa Store, Urwa, Central Market, Kadri, Kankanady and others, he said a project report and blueprints are ready and sent to the government for approval. “This project has been planned on public-private partnership and the entire project will be carried out at a cost of Rs 300 crore,” he said.
“To ease traffic movement in the city, various changes have been implemented. There are also plans to install signal lights at major circles,” he added.
“Kadri Park will be developed with a number of new attractions. A musical fountain will add more beauty to the park. Other development activities have already been carried out and will be completed at the earliest. Mathias Park in Falnir will also be developed and Rs 25 lac has been sanctioned for this purpose,” he said.
With regard to the construction of underpasses at the railway crossings near Padil, Bajal, Mahakalipadpu and Jeppu Kudpady, out of the total project cost, 50 percent, that is Rs 10 crore, will be borne by the MCC, he said. “We are awaiting government approval to sanction the amount. Discussions are on regarding development of the old bus stand and the proposed construction the new bus stand,” Lobo added.
“Rs 3.06 crore has been sanctioned for the construction of health centres at Shaktinagar, Kadri, Padil, Yekkur, Jeppu, Bunder and Bengre. The projects will be started at the earliest,” he said.
“Various development projects have been approved under the fisheries and port department. Among these are Rs 2 crore for construction of a godown, consumer office building and clearing of debris at Old Port area, Rs 14 crore for the construction of fisheries ferry at old commercial port and Bokkapatna in Sultan Battery, Rs 60 crore for the widening and development of existing fisheries ferry and port, and Rs 77.30 crore for the development of roads that connect the port and ferries. Approval is pending for other projects like widening of dry fish market at Rs 1.40 crore, wholesale fish auction market at Rs 1.60, auction market roofing at Rs 1 crore and Rs 17 crore for the renovation of Old Port. These projects have to be approved by the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad,” he explained.
“Several other development projects have been either approved or are awaiting approval from the government. Work on some of the projects has already started and other approved projects will be undertaken at the earliest,” he said.
Leaders Suresh Ballal, T K Sudhir, Vishwa das, Dennis D’Silva, Stany Alvares, Nazeer Bajal, Sadashiva das Ullal, Ramanand Poojary, corporators Prakash K, Praveen Chandra Alva, Rajaneesh, Prakash Salian, Mahabala Marla, Abdul Rauf and others were present.
Courtesy: Daijiworld