The Hindu 21.09.2016
Smart City project envisages Rs. 2,000 cr. investment for 5 yrs
Concept paper includes a solar farm on 20 acres near the old port
Mayor Harinath (second from right) speaking at a press conference on
Smart City at Mangaluru City Corporation in Mangaluru on Tuesady— PHOTO:
H.S. MANJUNATH
The development of a solar farm on an island facing the
old port has been proposed even as the smart city project proposal of
Mangaluru City Corporation envisages a total investment of Rs. 2,000
crore in the city over the next five years.
According
to the concept paper of Mangaluru smart city project submitted to the
Union government, a solar farm has been proposed on 20 acres of land
near the old port.
It has identified 1,628 acres in
the central business district area comprising Hampankatta, Bunder and
Car Street for retrofitting and re-development.
It
includes the development of the old port on 10 acres; re-development of
fisheries harbour on 22 acres; development of Hampankatta Junction area
on 27 acres.
The concept paper has identified upgrading Government Wenlock Hospital and Government Lady Goschen Hospital covering 17 acres.
It has identified 25 acres for the development of waterfront and marine area.
According
to the paper, 57 acres have been identified for the development of a
“religious zone”. The paper said that the corporation and other agencies
could explore developing Mangaluru as a cruise hub to attract tourists.
It could also explore the possibility of connecting the old port river
front with the proposed cruise terminal at the New Mangalore Port. It
could explore the possibility of converting the old office of the Deputy
Commissioner into a museum and other related projects of the Tourism
Department.
Referring to the distribution of the
total project cost of Rs. 2,000 crore, the concept paper said that Rs.
1,707 crore would be spent for specific area development projects and
Rs. 293 crore for projects planned across the city.
Speaking
to media persons here on Tuesday Mohammed Nazir, Commissioner,
Mangaluru City Corporation, said that now the government would
constitute a special purpose vehicle (SPV), which is an entity or a
company floated for implementing a specific task or project, for
implementing the smart city project. It would be headed by an Indian
Administrative Service officer.
He said that the
detailed project report on how to implement the projects mooted under
the smart city project would be prepared by the special purpose vehicle.
Mayor Harinath and Deputy Commissioner (administration) Gokuldas Nayak were present.