Mangaluru: Member of Parliament Nalin Kumar Kateel on May 3, alleged that MLA J R Lobo and Congress-led Mangaluru City Corporation has failed to utilise the funds released under the Smart City programme and AMRUT Mission of the union government for the city’s development.

Addressing a press meet at the BJP South election office here, Nalin said, “The BJP government-led by Yeddyurappa had sanctioned Rs 200 Crore for various development projects in the city including widening of roads, development of parks and constructions of footpath in the city.”

“In the past five years, Congress government has sanctioned only Rs 59 Crore to Mangaluru City Corporation”, he said.

He also alleged that J R Lobo and Mangaluru City Corporation had delayed the formation of SPV Committee for implementing the smart city project, though the union government had awarded Smart City programme funds for Mangaluru.

“MLA of Mangaluru South Constituency is taking credit for union government’s programmes”, he alleged.

“Though the Union government has sanctioned the fund for the extension of runway of Mangaluru International Airport, the Congress government has failed to provide 100 acres of land for the project. Even the Congress government has failed to provide 25 acres of land to upgrade the Mangaluru Central Railway Station to the international standard. Due to internal conflict among the Congress leaders, the city’s development has been hindered”, he alleged.

Answering media’s queries, Nalin Kumar said that the flyover in Pumpwell Circle will be completed within six months and the flyover at Thokkottu by June. He also stated that the delay in construction of flyover was due to technical reasons.

Attacking actor Prakash Raj/Rai, Nalin said that Prakash Raj wants to gain political advantage by criticising Hindutva in the guise of being a secular and intellectual.

“As he criticises Hindutva, Prakash Raj has no moral right to tell that we should not been seek votes in the name of Hindutva”, he added.