The Mangaluru City Corporation has set aside ₹25 crore for underground drainage (UGD) work in the Surathkal area after residents raised the issue during Commissioner Rahul Rathnam Pandey’s inspection of Ward 8 on Thursday.
The commissioner conducted the second ‘Walk with Commissioner’ programme with officials, beginning at Surathkal Junction and covering the Surathkal market, Muda market, temporary market area, Priyadarshini Colony and Govinda Das College before ending at the Indira Canteen in Surathkal. Residents identified UGD work as a major problem in the area and sought action from the civic administration.
Responding to the request, Pandey said ₹25 crore had been reserved for UGD work and that the issue would be examined before the necessary steps were taken. The source report did not specify the precise locations, project components or implementation schedule covered by the proposed expenditure.
The inspection also focused on the delayed allotment of shops at the Muda market. The commissioner questioned why the allotment process had been delayed for two years and directed officials to examine the related problems and technical issues comprehensively with Muda authorities.
Pandey also reviewed the status of water and electricity connections required to make the Surathkal and Muda markets fully operational. Officials were instructed to hold a meeting with 64 traders during the following week and complete their relocation to the market spaces allotted to them by November 10.
A road connecting Madarabettu, measuring approximately 1,500 metres, was inspected during the walk. The commissioner directed officials to prepare a letter proposing road widening to Konkan Railway and instructed them to hold a meeting with MRPL officials on the matter during the following week.
The inspection brought together officials from the corporation’s urban planning, engineering, health and revenue departments, along with the deputy commissioner for development, Naresh P. Shenai, supervisors and community coordinators. The visit formed part of the corporation’s effort to take up neighbourhood-level civic complaints through direct field inspections.
A separate water pipeline issue raised by a local resident was found to fall within the jurisdiction of Mulki Municipality. The commissioner directed the concerned officials to undertake repairs and submit the cost bill to the Mulki Municipality. He also ordered a meeting with Mulki municipal officials on November 2 to discuss the matter.
Pandey further directed officials to ensure that the Indira Canteen operates at full capacity in response to public demand. The corporation’s next stated steps include the review of the UGD problem, the meeting with market traders, discussions with Mulki Municipality and MRPL, and preparation of the road-widening proposal to Konkan Railway.
