A B Ibrahim bats for horizontal growth of the Mangalore city

Mangalore, Jan 12: Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada and administrator of Mangalore City Corporation AB Ibrahim has suggested horizontal growth of the Mangalore city for the development of infrastructures and to avoid the conjunction.

He was reacting to the memorandum handed over by the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mangalore demanding change in hiked trade licence fees under Mangalore City Corporation, withdrawal of Netravati river diversion project, enforcement of the provisions of food safety and standard act, development of information technology parks, formation of separate railway division for Mangalore, railway over bridge at Padil, footpath on concrete roads and storm water drains, drinking water scarcity, comfort road travel, international standard sports complex, exhibition centre, facelift  to Nehru Maidan and other.

Recalling his service in Mangalore during the year 1999, Mr Ibrahim said even after 15 years the same problems have remained resolved. For the development of Mangalore city the horizontal developments are required. Layouts development in more than thousands acre area to the three dimensions of the city will help for the development of better infrastructure. Even the roads, buildings, parks and other basic amenities can be created for the healthy atmosphere. “The major difficulties of the city can sort with developing layouts,” he opined.

Speaking about the amendment in allotting permission for single layout housing sites in city premise the DC said “earlier public were having difficulty in getting licence from Mangalore Urban Development Authority for site below 12 cents. Public had to move to city corporation and get permission from both the places. But we have formed a policy of getting licence from City Corporation for site below 10 cents. This has to be approved by the government now, he said. To avail the changes in trade licence fee, one meeting will be called with MCC officials within a week and discussed the changes, he said.

Comparing the Mysore city to Mangalore city, he said there is much difference between the infrastructure plans of Mysore and Mangalore. Roads in Mangalore are narrow and have no width. They are not planned and need to be developed for the better transport facility, he said calling it as 'man created problems'.

Declining to speak on Yettinahole project, Mr Ibrahim said, “I can convey public feelings to government in this regard. It is a government project and public have to speak to the ministers. Question rises on the failed efforts by public to oppose the project,” he said.

However, the drinking water problems will not be occurred in city. The construction of new vented dam will be completed by May month. To reach 7 meter of water level there is need of land acquisition. With present land water can be stored only for 4 meters of height. New land acquisition act is strict and do not allow for land acquisition easily, said Mr Ibrahim.