Mangaluru, November 16: The second edition of ‘Sustainable Smart Cities India’, a two day conference was organized at T M A Pai International Convention Centre here on Monday, November 16th. The event was organized by Nispana Platforms in association with Mangaluru City Corporation.
Deputy Mayor Purshotham Chitrapura inaugurated the event.
Addressing the gathered, Dr H S Ballal, pro-chancellor of Manipal University said, Manipal institutes will provide all logistic support that is required to see to it that Mangaluru city is listed among the first list of 20 smart cities in India. It is an absolute necessity. Today we witness the improper growth of the city without the proper infrastructure. Under the smart city programme, there are necessary arrangements for roads, drainage system, electricity, clean water supply, energy, parks, sports complexes, educational hubs, health, IT park, sports and games facilities. Solid waste management is a major problem in most of the cities. Smart city will be helpful for the undivided Dakshina Kannada.
Dr A Ravindra, former chief secretary of Karnataka Government, lauded Mangaluru for the intelligence of its people and for its development in education, health, engineering and extending the same into rural areas. One of the positive aspects that have come out from smart city concept is awareness about developing the cities. 6 cities have been chosen in Karnataka. There are certain procedures, criteria and standards that have been set by the government of India in order to qualify for the smart city. Without good administration, we cannot develop a city. All want to see their cities in the first 20 cities list. I do hope that Mangaluru will be listed among first twenty cities, he said.
Addressing the audience, Purshotham Chitrapura said I congratulate Nispana for taking initiative in organizing the second edition of ‘Sustainable Smart Cities India Conference’ in Mangaluru. All officers, corporators and publics should join hand to bring Mangaluru city in the first list of 20 smart cities.
Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim said Mangaluru has a history of more than two thousand years. Centuries ago, Greeks, Arabs and Chinese came to Mangaluru for the purpose of trade and commerce. It had a special naval trading history with Portuguese, Dutch and British. The trading activities lead to development of commerce and business activities including banking, education and medical sectors. Mangaluru possess all four modes of transportation, he said.
On this occasion, the gathered took pledge for Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
MCC commissioner Dr H N Gopalakrishna welcomed the gathering and Joint Commissioner Gokuldas proposed the vote of thanks.
