Surathkal residents criticize CDP at janaspandana

Surathkal residents criticize CDP at janaspandana

Mangalore Today News Network

Surathkal, Feb 7: The participants of the janaspandana organized for the residents of Surathkal hobli on Saturday severely criticized the comprehensive development plan (CDP), also known as the Master Plan II, and held District-in-charge Minister Krishna J Palemar responsible for this “anti-poor” plan. 

The residents of Surathkal complained that this plan required the setting aside of large portions of housing plots for construction of roads. One of the participants demanded to know how much of land would be left for the residents if they leave 6 - 8 meters of a 3 - 5 cent plot for construction of roads. Another participant complained that the new plan also demanded the payment of 15 percent of the total land value as penalty in order to construct an additional floor to an old house, on grounds that the old house violates the new plan. The participants labeled this as “an attempt to rob the people” and demanded the immediate scrapping of this clause. 

Some participants, who claimed to be farmers, complained that the conversion of agricultural land into non agricultural land becomes very difficult as per the new plan. A participant clarified that only 5 out of an agricultural plot of 25 cents can be converted. 

Another farmer wanted to know why things should be made difficult for him if he wishes to stop farming and convert his lands to non agricultural, especially since farming no longer holds any profits. 

Another participant who had applied for the construction of a grocery in a residential area said that the new plan permitted only 20 square feet for the construction of a shop in a residential area while older plans permitted an area of 50 square feet. 

The participants also protested against the allotment of 45 percent of a housing layout for parks and roads. Some participants, who said that they were members of the Nagarika Horata Vedike of Surathkal, said that the plan hardly considered the environmental aspects of urban development. They alleged that a number of housing layouts in Mangalore, including Landlinks, which belongs to Mr. Palemar, was constructed by filling soil in lower areas. These layouts have not only destroyed the natural waterways that used to conduct rainwater to the seas, but might also cause damage to the existing houses. 

A participant from Mukka, close to Pavanje, informed that 50 houses and a temple are in danger of being demolished because of the highway-widening project. 

When Mr. Palemar said that some sacrifices must be made for the larger good, the participants said that they had no problems sacrificing their lands for a genuine public cause; however the road expansion is being done in an unscientific manner, engulfing their lands and miraculously sparing the lands of the rich and powerful.