Mangalore: Urban Development minister Vinay Kumar Sorake said the state government has earmarked Rs 50 crore to construct a vented dam at Thumbe.

During the public grievance meeting held on Tuesday at MCC, the minister said the state government agreed to bear the cost since the city corporation was unable to bear the hefty cost. “Though there exists opposition from the people of the village to the submergence of villages, we will convince the locals to pave the way to build the dam”, he added.

Besides, Sorake also promised to fill the vacant and sanctioned posts in the corporation within three months. “The government has received permission to fill sanctioned 2500 posts across the corporations from finance department and step by step appointments will be realized”, he assured.

On appointing MCC commissioner, the minister said the Chief Minister will appoint the commissioner from the KAS or IAS cadre in short time.

Smart city project

The minister said he is exploring all the possibilities to include Mangalore, among the Central Government’s smart city project despite the population of the city being below 5 lakhs.

The minister proposed the development of Central market in Mangalore as well as Surathkal with public private partnership

150 illegal buildings

During the grievance meet, Hanumanth Kamath complained to the minister that there are as many as 150 illegal buildings in the city and no action has been taken against them. In response, the minister directed the town planning officials to look into it.