Mangaluru South MLA J.R. Lobo on Saturday said the face of the city is set to change in the next three years with the Smart City project, AMRUT and ADB-funded second phase of the underground sewage network.
In all, the city will spend Rs. 1,700 crore for upgrading the infrastructure, he said.
Speaking to reporters here, Mr. Lobo thanked the Central and State governments for choosing Mangaluru to be one of the smart cities. The city had presented a general and comprehensive plan initially, but did not make it to the first list.
Having learnt the lessons and studying other proposals, the city administration submitted a theme-based plan this time that revolved around fishing and old port, which are the foundation for the present Mangaluru, he said.
The Karnataka government will constitute a separate company comprising representatives from the Central and State governments and Mangaluru City Corporation, to execute the Smart City project, which might be finalised this month-end.
Soon after its formation, consultants will be appointed to finalise plans after which the project will be taken forward. If the works are not hastened, the city is likely to lose the grant of the third year, he said.
During the current year, Mangaluru will get Rs. 200 crore each from the State and Central governments and the following two years, it will get Rs. 150 crore each, thus taking the total to Rs.1,000 crore.
Similarly, it is getting Rs. 150 crore each from the Centre and State under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and Rs. 400 crore loan from the Asian Development Bank for the second phase of the UGD network.
Under the Smart City project, Old Mangaluru will see a complete overhaul even as other parts will be developed to international standards.
Courtesy: The Hindu