Mangaluru: While the BJP leaders in Dakshina Kannada district have been opposing the move of modernising the slaughterhouse at Kudroli under Smart City project, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel has gone one step ahead now saying that he would write a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleging the whole `Smart City` concept was being misused in Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC).
Earlier, Minister for Urban Development U T Khader had proposed the project of modernising the Kudroli slaughterhouse, which was widely opposed by the BJP. They contested that the Kudroli slaughterhouse is located within the city limits and hence should not have a slaughterhouse. Nalin Kumar Kateel has now raised his voice against MCC claiming that several developmental works had been taken up under Smart City project without taking approval in the council meeting.
Speaking to the reporters on Friday, October 26, Nalin listed out such developmental works. “The work on constructing the iconic `Clock Tower` at a cost of Rs 90 Lakh was started before getting approval from MCC council. Later, it was included in the Smart City project. As per the guidelines of the project, no development work should be included in its list. Likewise, MCC has decided to develop the stretch between A B Shetty Circle and Clock Tower at a cost of Rs 1.93 Crore. Similarly, the Smart Bus Stand project at a cost of Rs 25 Lakh at various locations has also been undertaken which is also against the guidelines”, he said.
“As Smart City is a very good project by the union government, it should not be misused and works should be undertaken as per the guidelines. Hence, I decided to write a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure that the amount earmarked under the Smart City project should not be misused”, Nalin added.
