Mangaluru: Mangaluru City Corporation Commissioner Rahul Ratnam Pandey inspected infrastructure projects at different locations in the city and reviewed concerns raised by residents during his field visits.
The Commissioner first visited the proposed multi-level car parking (MLCP) facility at the old bus stand premises on KS Rao Road, where he reviewed the progress and various aspects of the project. He later inspected the Surathkal-Idya wet well after residents raised concerns over its impact on groundwater and local wells.
MLCP project faces land acquisition hurdles
The proposed MLCP project at the old bus stand is being developed under the public-private partnership (PPP) model.
During the inspection, Mangaluru Smart City Limited General Manager Arun Prabha briefed the Commissioner on several aspects of the project, including the bidding process, proposed investment, construction quality and land acquisition.
Arun Prabha explained that securing the required land had emerged as one of the major challenges facing the project. Some property owners in the project area have reportedly not agreed to part with their properties, affecting the availability of land required for the proposed development.
According to the briefing, around 84 landowners are located in and around the project area.
Old bus stand site reviewed
Officials also provided details about the age of the existing structures at the proposed project site.
The old bus stand is reportedly more than seven decades old, while several structures in the surrounding area are around four decades old.
Under the proposal, the land would be leased to the successful bidder for a period of 30 years. The project is expected to provide a modern parking facility in an important commercial part of the city while also supporting better utilisation of the existing site.
The Commissioner reviewed the issues affecting implementation and sought regular monitoring of the project’s progress.
Month-wise progress report sought
Following the inspection, Commissioner Rahul Ratnam Pandey directed the officials concerned to prepare and submit a month-wise progress report covering the next 15 months.
He instructed officials to submit the report within a week so that the progress of the MLCP project could be monitored regularly.
The direction is intended to provide a structured timeline for reviewing the various stages of the project and identifying delays or other challenges during implementation.
The land acquisition issue, in particular, remains an important aspect that needs to be addressed for the project to progress smoothly.
Commissioner visits Surathkal-Idya wet well
Later, the Commissioner visited the Surathkal-Idya wet well and gathered information from officials regarding its pumping system and the difficulties reportedly being experienced by residents in the locality.
The visit followed complaints from residents regarding the installation and operation of the wet well system in their neighbourhood.
During the interaction, local residents reportedly expressed opposition to the wet well being installed in the area.
Residents raise groundwater contamination concerns
One of the primary concerns raised by residents was the alleged impact of the wet well on groundwater.
Residents claimed that the system was contributing to contamination of groundwater in the locality and was affecting the quality of water available from nearby wells.
Taking note of the complaint, the Commissioner inspected the well water at the spot to understand the concerns raised by the residents.
Rather than relying only on the complaints or visual inspection, he directed officials to collect water samples and send them to a laboratory for detailed quality testing.
The laboratory examination is expected to provide scientific information on the quality of the groundwater and help authorities assess whether there is any connection between the wet well system and the concerns raised by residents.
Residents’ views to be considered
The Commissioner assured residents that their concerns and views would be taken into consideration while examining the matter.
He also stated that no action would be taken against the wishes of the residents and that the issue would be examined comprehensively.
The assurance comes amid concerns among residents regarding the possible effect of the wet well on their local water sources.
The Commissioner directed officials to base further measures on the findings of the examination. The laboratory results could therefore play an important role in determining the next course of action.
Focus on infrastructure and public concerns
The field visits covered two infrastructure-related issues involving different aspects of civic administration.
The MLCP project involves urban infrastructure, parking requirements, private investment and land availability, while the wet well issue concerns public infrastructure and residents’ concerns about water quality.
By seeking a 15-month progress report for the parking project and ordering laboratory testing of water samples at Surathkal-Idya, the Commissioner has called for closer monitoring and evidence-based assessment of the issues.
The proposed MLCP at the old bus stand will require coordination among the civic authorities, private stakeholders and property owners in the project area. Addressing land-related challenges will be important for ensuring that the project moves forward according to schedule.
At Surathkal-Idya, the laboratory report will help establish the actual quality of the well water and provide officials with a basis for deciding whether any corrective measures are necessary.
The Commissioner’s inspections have thus placed emphasis on both project monitoring and addressing concerns raised directly by residents. Further developments are expected after officials submit the progress report and the water quality testing is completed.