DC seeks public help to change Mangalore

DHNS

• His US tour may help improve solid waste management system in city

Mangalore, 25 June 2010: Deputy Commissioner V Ponnuraj dreams to bring many changes in Mangalore city, based on the USA model. His recent study tour to Knoxville, Durham in North Carolina in the US, has opened new vistas to change the basic infrastructure of Mangalore in the areas of building construction, solid waste management and the like. 

 
In an exclusive presentation and interaction with the media persons in Press Club on Friday, Ponnuraj explained the mediapersons about the major differences in the Indian and American system of functioning by using video aid. “The construction of villas and roads, and the solid waste management are the major areas where a drastic difference is to be found in USA compared to India. The construction pattern in USA is so beautifully planned and so are the drainage and solid waste management systems. If not completely, atleast a slight imitation of their system would solve much of the problems faced in Mangalore and it would make Mangalore more beautiful,” he said.

However, the Deputy Commissioner opined that no changes could be brought without the co-operation from the public.  “Here if the MCC requests the people to allow them to dig some land in front of their residence for the construction of drainage system, the public show a troublesome attitude. They are not even ready to allot some of land for the drainage construction. In such a case, one can’t expect the administration to come up with the positive moves as we can’t import the land,” he opined.

 Unauthorised buildings

Stating that there are no unauthorised layouts and apartments in the US, he said 90 per cent of the buildings have violated the rules and regulations in Mangalore City. As per the preliminary report on traffic policy submitted to the district administration, 60 to 70 per cent of the area in Mangalore can not be provided with fire service if any mishap occurs, the DC revealed.

CDP debate

The DC said there is a need to have public debate over Comprehensive Development Plan. The public debate will be organised by the district administration at the earliest. The debate will include technical session and open session wherein public and NGOs will discuss on the revised CDP. Public debate on CDP was not carried out in the City so far.
Stating that CDP, master plan in India is only for cities, Ponnuraj said “planning for a city goes much before the place becomes a city.”

Inspiration

To a query on what changes Mangaloreans can expect from DC’s experience in the US, he said “solid waste management is one area which will see a lot of change in the future. Once the door-to-door collection starts, then the City is likely to become clean.” The work on the footpath will also be taken up, he added.