Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)
Mangaluru, Dec 5: The construction work of the DC office complex of Dakshina Kannada is stalled halfway due to poor planning. The estimate is increasing year by year.
Due to the error of the designer and unwillingness on the part of the people representatives, the work of huge complex began but now the same is limping. Taxpayers’ money is wasted due to unnecessary inclusion in the design.
During the rule of the Congress in 2014, the government approval was given for the new DC office building on the recommendation of the then district in-charge minister Ramanath Rai. However, environmentalists approached the court against cutting of trees that were on the proposed land. After the due process, forest department handed over the land to the revenue department. The work began on the project in March 2018 by housing board.
The building consists of three storeys with an area of 2.26 lac square feet on an area of 5.8 acres. In the beginning the project cost was Rs 41 crore. Later it was increased to Rs 55 crore. As on September 16, 2019 most of the building, roof, doors and railing work was complete. Officials submitted an estimate of Rs 14.5 crore to complete the remaining work in one phase.
Later, some more works were added and the estimated cost list was sent for Rs 29 crore. However, the government did not approve the same. Then the government changed. MLA Umanath Kotian visited the site in 2020. District in-charge minister Sunil Kumar visited the spot in 2022. But there was no progress at all. In August 2023, revenue minister Krishna Byre Gowda held discussion with senior officials.
After the completion of first phase work, an estimate of Rs 29 crore was submitted to the government for approval. However, as this did not get approval even after two years, the estimate is now revised to Rs 32 crore. However, not a single rupee is released even after four months of submission of the latest estimate.
District in charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said that revenue minister visited the site two months ago. Discussion will be held with concerned to continue work soon.
Local resident Dayananda H said that there is no signs of the work getting completed. However, the price of land in and around the complex has already sky rocketed due to the DC office complex getting shifted to Padil.