On September 18, a delegation representing the Mangaluru City Corporation Contractors' Association (Regd.) met the Chief Minister at the Circuit House in Mangaluru to press for two urgent measures: the release of special grants to finish stalled civic projects and an immediate revision of the state's Standard Schedule of Rates (SR).
The group, led by President Hussain Shoaib, Vice President Suresh Rao, General Secretary Raviraj Shetty and office bearers Asif Masco and Prateek Poojary, highlighted that roads, drains, drinking‑water pipelines, underground drainage, electricity lines and municipal buildings remain incomplete across the corporation limits. Funding shortfalls have left these works idle, a situation that threatens traffic flow and public safety, especially during the monsoon season.
According to the association, the absence of fresh capital has forced many projects to a standstill, creating inconvenience for residents. The contractors argued that a dedicated special grant would enable them to prioritise and complete the most critical works before the rains arrive.
In parallel, the delegation pointed out that the Standard Schedule of Rates has not been updated since the 2023‑24 financial year. Consequently, the cost of cement, steel, sand, gravel, bitumen, fuel, transport, machinery hire and labour wages has risen sharply. The contractors urged the government to align the SR with current market prices and to institutionalise an annual revision mechanism.
After hearing the plea, the Chief Minister issued written directions to the Minister for Urban Development, instructing swift action on both the grant release and the SR amendment. The association expressed gratitude for the positive response, noting that timely intervention could restore momentum to the city's long‑awaited infrastructure upgrades.
Image: varthabharati.in
📰 Source: Vartha Bharati DK