New Mayor: Expectations from Citizens

New Mayor: Expectations from Citizens

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Sept 30, 2023: Mangaluru City has got a new Mayor. The election of three-time corporator Sudhir Shetty Kannur as the new Mayor of Mangaluru, as expected has kindled a lot of hopes and expectations and it is ardently hoped that he would not disappoint the trust reposed by the people of the city on him.

Every time a new Mayor is elected, it is but natural to have some expectations from the first citizen. Given the experience which Sudhir Shetty a three-time corporator has, citizens are hoping he would certainly make things better in the port city.

Sudhir Shetty represents the Kodialbail ward and during his two previous terms as Corporator represented Kannur and Mangaluru City South. An agile and pro-active leader that he is, citizens want some concrete action from the new Mayor and hope long lasting solutions would be found to many issues facing the city.

Soon after he took charge, the new Mayor has said that during his term efforts would be made to augment drinking water supply to the city from the Adyar vented dam built across the Netravathi on the downstream of Thumbay vented dam.

The Mayor has also promised to solve problems relating to underground drainage management and also to accord priority to water management in the backdrop of shortage in rainfall.

The new Mayor has further said he would be available for the public to meet him between 3.30 pm to 6 pm. That is a welcome move and citizens can approach the Mayor directly with regard to any of their civic issues.

There are many citizens who want the Mayor to make it a point to visit at least one ward every week in order to have a first-hand account of various issues facing the different wards. It also brings in a sense of satisfaction for the citizens to know that they have a pro-active mayor. The Mayor has already assured to convene a meeting of corporators of 15 wards each every month in order to review progress by taking into confidence opposition party leaders. This is a good development.

He has also assured transparency and a corruption free administration and citizens are really hoping that the mayor keeps up his words.

Though a Smart City in the making, Mangaluru is facing a number of problems including bad roads and roads without proper footpaths. There have been complaints since long of irregular water supply in many wards. There is a need for the new mayor to look into this aspect.

Proper maintenance of the roads, effective garbage disposal system, identifying garbage black spots and ensuring tough action against those dumping garbage on the roadsides are very much needed. Also much attention must be given to the Pachanady dumping yard issue and also with regard to scientific disposal of wastes given the fact that the quantity of wastes generated by the growing city of Mangaluru too is increasing.

Overflowing drainages have also been a recurrent problem in some wards and this is another issue that needs urgent attention from the Mayor.

Street vendors issue too needs to be addressed. Despite several drives, it is a fact that the problem of street vendors has not solved. Street vendors too are a part of the city and there are hundreds of vendors who make out a living from this. Considering this fact, the Corporation has to ensure pedestrian and traffic movement is not hindered due to street vendors. Their rehabilitation too is a big challenge as a place identified for street vendors during the earlier regime has been of little use.

As far as the new Mayor is concerned, he has also assured a Janaspandana programme at Town Hall once in three months to hear grievances directly from the public. Hope he takes concrete steps even in this direction as it goes a long way in instilling trust and confidence among the citizens.

Citizens are ardently hoping that Mangaluru would be a still better place with better infrastructure and other facilities under the dynamic leadership of the new Mayor.n