Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Jan 15: With most of the work on the Mahakalipadpu railway underpass in the city nearing completion, steps will be taken to inaugurate it soon, deputy commissioner (DC) Darshan HV said.
Responding to questions from reporters here on Thursday, he said that the underpass work, taken up under the Smart City project, is largely complete, though work on one side of the road remains pending due to a case currently before the court. He added that clearance from the railways in the form of a no-objection certificate is required to allow vehicular movement through the underpass. Once the underpass is opened to traffic, road work between Pumpwell and Kankanady will be taken up, he said.
He noted that the international kite festival as part of the Karavali Utsava will be held this weekend. If road work between Pumpwell and Kankanady is started during this period, it could lead to traffic congestion in the city. Therefore, the police department has advised that the work be taken up after January 17. The DC said that if district in-charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao is available, efforts will be made to inaugurate the Mahakalipadpu railway underpass next week. Otherwise, it will be inaugurated on January 26, on the occasion of Republic Day.
On the issue of stray dogs, Darshan HV said that land has been identified at Bondanthila for a shelter for street dogs. At present, there is a plan to shift stray dogs from Mulki, Mangaluru and Ullal taluks to this shelter. He clarified that it would not be possible to provide shelter for all dogs in the city and that only street dogs in need would be rehabilitated. He also said that the administration is considering making permission mandatory for keeping pet dogs, with the aim of preventing people from abandoning pets on roadsides due to illness or other reasons.
The DC further stated that several new tourism development projects are being implemented in the district through public-private partnership. Memoranda of understanding assuring support have been signed with six organisations that have shown interest. Near Gurpur, the Taj Group and SKS Group will construct two five-star hotels and resorts. A resort will also be built on a two-acre site near Tannirbhavi, while AJ Hotel will construct a new resort near the Kulur bridge.
Referring to the comprehensive revision of electoral rolls, the DC said there is some confusion among grassroots-level officials regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). To address this, separate training programmes will be organised at the taluk level for Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs). Information programmes will also be organised for representatives of political parties, he added.