Dakshina Kannada MP seeks inquiry into 'inflated' cost of Smart City projects
Mangaluru: Alleging that the cost of Smart City projects have been inflated , Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel has sought an inquiry .
Kateel has directed Mangaluru Smart City Limited (MSCL) authorities to conduct an inquiry into the inflation in cost of projects, which are being implemented under the Smart City Mission in the city.
Chairing a meeting of District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee, Kateel said funds released by the central government for the Smart City project should not be misused.
‘Probe cost of bus shelters constructed’
He directed MSCL officials to conduct an inquiry into the expenses incurred for the construction of bus shelters.
“Bus shelters have been constructed at a cost of Rs 12 lakh each. However, the shelters have been constructed unscientifically. They claim that they are in an area of 600 sq ft, but there is a suspicion even about this measurement. In Delhi, such bus shelters are being built at a cost of Rs 6 lakh. However, they have spent Rs 12 lakh here. Hence, an inquiry should be conducted into it,” the MP directed, and added that such bus shelters should not be constructed in the city.
‘Probe cost of bus shelters constructed’
He directed MSCL officials to conduct an inquiry into the expenses incurred for the construction of bus shelters.
“Bus shelters have been constructed at a cost of Rs 12 lakh each. However, the shelters have been constructed unscientifically. They claim that they are in an area of 600 sq ft, but there is a suspicion even about this measurement. In Delhi, such bus shelters are being built at a cost of Rs 6 lakh. However, they have spent Rs 12 lakh here. Hence, an inquiry should be conducted into it,” the MP directed, and added that such bus shelters should not be constructed in the city.
On the clock tower which is being constructed under the Smart City programme at Hampankatta in the city, Kateel said, “The work is being taken up at a cost of Rs 1 crore, but it is unscientific and will worsen the traffic mess in the area.”
Smart Road project
questioned
He also took objections to the Smart Road project that is being implemented on the Clock Tower-AB Shetty Circle road. “They have earmarked Rs 6 crore for the development of a 300 metre road stretch. Though Rs 55 crore has been sanctioned for underground drainage (UGD) missing link works under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) scheme, funds have been earmarked for the UGD works in Smart City projects too. Hence, no funds should be released for UGD work under Smart City projects,” Kateel said. The MP proposed that a road should be constructed to connect Mangaluru Junction railway station under the Smart City mission.
Expedite integrated
transport hub
“The Smart City project of constructing an integrated transport hub near Pumpwell Circle should be taken up at the earliest. Similarly, the construction of multi-level parking complex at Hampankatta also should be taken up immediately,” he directed.
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