If Mangalore is to be turned into an attractive tourist destination, its localities have to be developed keeping in mind the specific features of each area, said N. Yogish Bhat, MLA, Mangalore City South. He was speaking after inaugurating the Milagres and Falnir Ward Residents Welfare Association (RWA) in the city on Sunday.
He said following that approach, Bengre, which lacked infrastructure facilities, was getting an international golf course. A ropeway would be set up between the mainland and the island. However, every locality had to be developed along different lines. So in Valencia, the library and park were developed while Mannagudda now had an international-level synthetic track. Pilikula would get a three-dimensional planetarium and Lady Goschen Hospital, where the poor came, would get a new building. Jeppinamogaru had bad roads but it could get concrete roads like in Kankanady and Padil, he said.
Mr. Bhat said that if there was a clear vision on how Mangalore could be made greener and cleaner, plans could be implemented and it could become a reality. He said residents could form a committee to oversee implementation and citizens’ rights. “Find out solutions for your problems. Classify them into long term and short term. Follow up on their resolution,” he said.
Local planning
The Milagres and Falnir Ward RWA should become a model. Residents must discuss and plan what was best for the area.
One issue that was of particular concern was substance abuse. The number of cases, especially those involving children, was shocking and the issue must be addressed, he said.
J.R. Lobo, a member of the society, said while the law said there should be a citizens’ committee, there was no such committee in their area. Local participation was important and it was because of it that residents in Mannagudda were able to construct the park for special children.
