Mangaluru: In a concerted effort to expedite the ambitious Smart City project in Mangaluru, Member of Parliament Nalin Kumar Kateel has unveiled a comprehensive plan of biweekly inspections. These regular assessments, to be conducted every 15 days, are aimed at proactively identifying and resolving any impediments that could potentially hinder the progress of the project. The first of these crucial inspections took place on Tuesday, October 17.
Nalin Kumar Kateel personally conducted a rigorous inspection of various facets of the Smart City project. During these inspections, he issued directives to contractors and officials, underscoring the paramount importance of adhering to specified project timelines.
Several key areas came under Nalin’s scrutiny during this inspection, including the concrete road construction work at Pumpwell, connecting road projects, a railway underground bridge, the Riverfront project at Mulihithlu, the international swimming pool at Yemmekere, and the surgical block at Wenlock Hospital.
Highlighting the substantial commitment of the Union government, Nalin Kumar Kateel said, “The Union government has sanctioned projects amounting to Rs. 1,000 crore to propel Mangaluru’s transformation into a Smart City. Of this total, works valued at Rs. 745 crore have already reached completion, and an additional Rs. 831 crore in direct grants have been allocated. As of now, 55 projects have been successfully accomplished, while 33 remain actively underway. Furthermore, four projects are set to be executed through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.”
Nalin also revealed specific timelines for crucial projects, stating, “The railway underpass at Mahakalipadpu is projected to be finalized by March 2024, and the concrete connecting road project is progressing apace. My directive is to ensure the road’s completion by January 2024, which will serve as a vital bypass road for the Mangaluru market.