Newskarnataka – Mangalore
Mangalore: On the pretext of solving the perennial problem of sea erosion in the coastline of Ullal area, there is a serious effort to bungle up the Asian Development Bank funded Sustainable Coastal Protection and Management Investment Program (SCPMIP). By deviating from the prescribed framework, the Public Works, Inland and Water Transport Department which i overseeing the project, in connivance with the local people representative (both MP and MLA), are fooling the people of the region. There is a disaster in the waiting for the people living in the coastline during this monsoon and the people in power are simply playing with the sentiments of the people here and keeping them in dark about the manner in which the Rs. 250 crore project is being executed.
Aam Aadmi Party has demanded a probe into the deviation of the original project timeline and an effort to bungle up the project in the sidelines of the forthcoming elections. The party demands a white paper on the whole project and clarity on the execution of the same. SCPMIP (Ullal Area Work) incorporates the latest and sustainable Geo-Synthetic solution instead of the conventionally followed
procedure of dumping boulders along the coastline.
AAP claims to have a strong evidence to prove that there is a huge scam involved in the execution of SCPMIP and the exercise is a clear indication of a political gimmick to mask the failure of the people representatives and administration to provide sustainable solution to the problem. Not only has the timeline for the project not materialized, but the manner in which the sequence of the sub-projects, raises doubts about the intentions of the people responsible for executing the project.
According to the first stage of SCPMIP (Ullal Area Work) there are four stages mentioned by the AAP were:
Construction of Off-Shore Reefs
Rehabilitation of Breakwaters
Construction of In-Shore Berms
Sand Nourishment Events
Moreover the release stated that the four stages have been very scientifically evolved in sequence so as to provide a sustainable and effective solution to the problem. However, the irony is that the execution process is contrary to the sequence prescribed by the experts. Records reveal that the tenders of upto Rs. 40 crore has already been sealed for the construction of Berms which should have actually happened in the later stages of the project.
This clearly shows that the implementation of the project is an eye wash in view of the forthcoming elections only to show to the people that some work has been undertaken, said the release
The release also said that the execution of the work is under the state Government with a foreign consultant called Euroconsult Mott MacDonald BV and is monitored by the minister for ports and fisheries and the local Congress MLA (who is also our health minister), Mr. U T Khader. AAP DK Unit demands the minister and the local MLA to clarify the issue as it involves a funding of Asian Development Bank, Manila and that it is a loan, interest of which has to be later borne by the common man of Ullal. AAP scheduled to work on the details of the project and calls on the MLA and MP to participate in a discussion on the subject so as to enable people to open their eyes regarding the danger that is awaiting them during this monsoon season. In the name of evolving a permanent solution to the problem of sea erosion, the people in power have been taking the common man for a ride for the past three decades and thousands of crores of rupees have been spent without any avail, but promises after promises.
