State govt neglecting Mangaluru’s development, alleges MLA Vedavyas Kamath

State govt neglecting Mangaluru’s development, alleges MLA Vedavyas Kamath

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Mar 7, 2026: BJP MLA Vedavyas Kamath on Friday accused the Congress-led state government of neglecting the development of Mangaluru while attempting to claim credit for projects funded by the Government of India.

Addressing a press conference at the Atal Seva Kendra, Kamath criticised the state government for conducting the foundation-laying ceremony for the construction and upgradation of the sewerage system at the Pachchanadi Sewage Treatment Plant without informing local representatives.

He said the project, estimated to cost around ₹40 crore, is being implemented under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) 2.0, with funds provided through the environmental compensation fund of the National Green Tribunal. “These are initiatives of the Central government, but the state government is trying to portray the project as its own,” Kamath alleged.

The BJP leader also expressed concern over the development of the memorial of social reformer Kudmul Ranga Rao at Attavar. He said that during the BJP government in 2022, ₹3 crore had been sanctioned for the project under the Mahatma Gandhi Nagar Vikas Yojana, and the foundation stone had already been laid. However, after the Congress government came to power, funds for several projects approved during the previous administration were withheld, leaving the work incomplete, he alleged.

Referring to the recent visit of the district in-charge minister to the Thumbe dam, Kamath said the minister’s statement that the city would have sufficient water supply until June or July showed a lack of understanding of the ground situation. “Several wards in Mangaluru are already facing severe water shortages, and residents are regularly submitting complaints to corporators and officials,” he said.

Kamath also said people are still facing difficulties in obtaining e-khata within the jurisdiction of the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC). Although the issue has been raised several times in the Assembly, the government has not taken effective steps to resolve it, he alleged.

He further criticised the recent hike in property tax within municipal corporation limits, saying it has imposed an additional financial burden on the public. Kamath pointed out that the civic body is currently being administered by officials without elected representatives and accused the government of using the situation to increase taxes.

Speaking about infrastructure development, he said ₹2 crore had been sanctioned during the BJP government under the Smart City Mission for the development of the Ballalbagh bridge on MG Road. However, he alleged that Congress leaders diverted the funds to complete the DC office complex at Padil. Following public demand, the district administration later reapproved the bridge project under the Premium FAR fund, he added.

Kamath also expressed concern over the decision to award the contract for advertisement hoardings in the city to a company based in Tamil Nadu without consulting local representatives or the civic body. He alleged that the move sidelines local operators who have been running the business for many years.

“The state government should focus on resolving civic issues and ensuring development works instead of indulging in political credit-taking,” Kamath said.