Politicos elated over Mangaluru's inclusion in Smart City list

Political leaders cutting across party affiliations have welcomed the Centre's decision to include Mangaluru in the new list of 27 cities to be upgradedas Smart Cities.

Following the Centre's announcement of the third list of smartcities on September 20, the City Corporation Mayor Harinath, belonging to the Congress, was the first to expresshis happiness to see Mangaluru in the list of smart cities.

Speaking to reporters here yesterday, Harinath said, he was conveying his regards to the Prime Minister for selecting the city.

He alsolauded the efforts of Karnataka Chief Minister, MPs, MLAs anddistrict-in-charge minister Ramanath Rai for enabling the city to be chosen as one of the Smart cities in the latest list.
 

Furter, the Mayor sought the help and support of all the officials tomake the city one of the best cities of the country.

Dakshina Kannada's BJP MP Nalin Kumar Kateel also expressedhis gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu for choosing Mangaluru as one of theSmart Cities.

The coastal city had the potential to be smart, he said in a statement.

Congress MLA from Mangaluru South JR Lobo said he was thanking all central and state representatives and authorities who made the dream come true.

The Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has proposed a total investment of Rs 2,000 crore over the next five years in thesmart city project proposals including development of a solar farmon an island facing the old port.

The concept paper submitted by the MCC also proposes upgrading the government Wenlock and Lady Goschen Hospitals covering 17 acres besides identification of 25 acres for development of waterfront and marine area.

The MCC Commissioner Mohamed Nazir said the gvernmentwould constitute a special purpose vehicle (SPV), an entity ora company floated for implementing a specific task forimplementing the smart city project.

It would be headed by an Indian Administrative Service officer, he added.