Mangaluru: In interaction with News Karnataka, new Mayor of Mangaluru City Corporation and senior-most BJP member Premanand Shetty said, “The top priority will be to complete all the development tasks within a reasonable time frame. Also, monthly review meetings will be held to ensure 24×7 drinking water project is implemented, effectively.”
“The development should be parallel with nature and the ecosystem. As far as possible we are planning for eco-friendly initiatives and projects. It is my dream project to plant trees in the open spaces and on both sides of the road for which I will initiate some green projects. The Swachh Mangaluru Abhiyan will once again be started, for which I humbly request the participation of the Citizens of Mangaluru to keep our City clean and green,” he said.
He said being a Mayor of MCC is a huge responsibility and that he will work to the best of his ability and strive to meet the expectations of the people.
Regarding the all-around development of the Mangaluru city, he said “After 1997 the Mangaluru city was extended with the addition of Surathkal and other areas. We need to focus more on the development of these extended areas along with the city. Our main focus is on the drainage systems. It is difficult to provide the drainage systems for the whole of Mangaluru city, but we are trying to implement them in important zones. We have plans to move the sewage to the treatment plants from wet wells too.
He said that during summers every year we face a shortage in the supply of drinking water and that effective measures would be taken to implement the already existing drinking water project.
Regarding resolving issues related to the Smart City, he said that projects are on hold due to court stay orders. “As per my knowledge the court has already issued some directions, hopefully, the matter will be resolved soon. Even we have informed the government with undertaking about the management of the construction and demolition waste. “In the forthcoming months, we will speed up the developments related to the Smart City project,” he added.
Referring to the formation of Ward Committees, the Mayor said its process has reached a stage now, and very soon the ward committees will be formed after MCC Commissioner will make his return after a few weeks leave. “The official machinery in the MCC will go ahead with further steps to be taken up for constituting the committees. The formation of the fresh ward committees would definitely encourage the involvement of the public in developmental activities. There are many individual benefit schemes introduced by the government and public involvement will help in finding the real beneficiaries and thereby take benefits from such schemes.
He further said, “Solid Waste Management is another major challenge faced by the city, the public participation plays a key role here. “The segregation of waste should be made at the household level. The formation of the ward committees also helps in maintaining transparency in developmental projects. It was also mentioned in our election manifesto. We have unanimously approved the proposal during the tenure of Diwaker Pandeshwar, which soon will be implemented,” he added.
