Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, Feb 26: MP Nalin Kumar Kateel inaugurated the new pavilion constructed under the Smart City Project by Smart City Project Limited and Mangaluru City Corporation at Mangala Stadium on Sunday, February 26.
After inaugurating the project, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel spoke to the media and said, "Mangaluru and MCC are heading towards development, and credit for this goes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In 2014, Narendra Modi envisioned that identified cities should be developed under the Smart City Project. So, several development projects were implemented to materialize this vision."
"Initially, there were several criticisms as Mangaluru was not chosen under the First Phase of the Smart City Project. However, when the city received various projects under the Smart City Project in the second phase, people who previously criticized the project claimed that they implemented it. Today, we can witness various changes and development in Mangaluru, and it is all because of PM Narendra Modi's contribution. I congratulate him," he said.
A total of Rs 200 crores have been spent on various projects under the Smart City Project, which includes both AMRUT and Smart City projects for Mangaluru City. Due to the lethargy of the administration in Mangaluru City Corporation, the development work went through a slow phase.
Later, in the second phase, Vedavyas Kamath became MLA, and the administration authority at MCC changed. Since then, the projects under the Smart City Project have gained momentum.
Mangaluru City is now in third position in implementing the projects of Smart City, which includes the concretization of roads, development of circles and sports complex, international swimming pool, Kabbadi and Shuttle courts, and several other projects to facilitate the sportsmen.
Today, the pavilion, physiotherapy, and gym have been introduced to the stadium, and soon the international swimming pool, Kabbadi, and shuttle courts will be launched. People should utilize this facility. Mangaluru is a growing city, and people from other districts are lauding the development program that took place in the city," he said.
"We should remember the contribution of Yediyurappa when he became CM and released Rs 300 crores for the concretization of roads. It was when Yogish Bhat was MLA. Later, the city was developed under the Smart City Project. There were several disputes about the developments, but they were resolved through negotiations," the MP said.
When asked by the media about reports that Smart City Projects are not effectively implemented in the city, Nalin Kumar said, "The development works were delayed initially due to the administration in MCC, but now they have gained momentum, and everything is on track."
MLA Vedavyas Kamath said that the launch of waterfront and riverfront projects should be started. Rs 300 crores have been allocated for the waterfront project. On March 5th, the MP and District In-Charge minister will lay the foundation stone for these projects, and work will begin.
"There are government and private lands in the area, and it has taken time to include private land after proper negotiations. There was CRZ clearance, and even a foundation stone will be laid for the central market and Sultan Battery on the same day," the MLA said.
Mayor Jayanand Anchan, deputy mayor Poornima, and corporators were present on the inauguration.