Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Sep 27: In the last four years, only seven projects worth Rs 10.62 crore have been completed under the Smart city project of this city.

Though Rs 301 crore grant has been released for the development of this city as Smart City, only Rs 41.43 crore have been spent so far. Out of the 47 projects planned, only seven are completed. Another 26 projects estimated to cost Rs 558.78 crore are in progress. Four projects costing Rs 81 crore are in the tender stage. Five projects worth Rs 259.54 crore are in the CPR stage.

The Smart City projects are constantly getting changed as per the changes carried out by the ruling party in the state. When the coalition government was in power in 2018, Kudroli slaughterhouse was included in the Smart City project. However, as the BJP wrested power from the coalition government, Kudroli abattoir project was dropped and Padil road project was included.

Even in the city corporation, the power has been transferred into the hands of BJP from Congress and the list of projects is just getting longer.

Isaac Vas, president of Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) says, "Works that are complementary to the development of the city are taken up by the administration. In addition, a proposal for an IT park at an estimated cost of Rs 60 crore at Derebail on 2 lac sq ft area is agreed upon."

Over Rs 200 crore marked for the Smart City is kept in a nationalized bank under fixed deposit. The bank had gifted a car to the MD of Smart City, which had created quite a discussion in the political circles of the city recently.