He chaired a review meeting at Mangaluru City Corporation’s Mangal Hall on Thursday to assess the progress of projects being implemented by the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC), Mangaluru Urban Development Authority (MUDA), Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board (KUWSDB) and Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation (KUIDFC).

The meeting reviewed a range of civic and infrastructure issues, including drinking water supply, underground drainage, streetlights, market projects, e-Khata services and waste management.

Focus on coordinated urban development

Yathindra Siddaramaiah instructed officials of all departments to work in coordination and ensure that projects are completed within the prescribed timelines.

He stressed that completing projects on time should not come at the expense of quality. Officials were directed to monitor the works closely and ensure that infrastructure created for the city meets the required standards.

The review covered both ongoing projects and civic services that directly affect residents. The minister also sought greater coordination between the agencies involved in Mangaluru’s urban development.

Civic services to be digitalised

The minister placed emphasis on the digitalisation of civic services as part of the ongoing process to digitalise services across 13 city corporations in Karnataka.

Officials were instructed to ensure that civic services and essential information are made easily accessible to residents through digital platforms.

The move is intended to make access to municipal services more convenient and reduce the need for residents to make repeated visits to government offices for routine services.

Officials were asked to ensure that digital systems are implemented effectively and that residents can access essential civic information and services with greater ease.

Water infrastructure to meet future needs

The meeting also reviewed the city’s drinking water infrastructure.

Officials were instructed to upgrade water storage facilities while taking into account Mangaluru’s requirements for the next 25 years. The directive comes amid the city’s continued expansion and increasing demand for drinking water.

Of the 96,300 household water connections planned in Mangaluru, 39,182 connections have been completed. The minister directed officials to accelerate the remaining 57,118 connections.

The focus on long-term storage capacity and expansion of household connections is intended to ensure that the city’s water infrastructure keeps pace with its growing population and urban expansion.

Underground drainage network to be expanded

The minister also reviewed the status of underground drainage infrastructure.

At present, underground drainage facilities cover around 65% of Mangaluru, corresponding to approximately 86.09 square kilometres. Officials were instructed to gradually extend the network to areas that are currently outside the coverage.

Expansion of the underground drainage network is a key urban infrastructure requirement, particularly as the city continues to grow. The minister directed the concerned authorities to plan the expansion systematically and complete the works in a timely manner.

Streetlight installation reviewed

Progress in streetlight installation was another issue discussed during the meeting.

Around 55.6% of the planned streetlights, or 36,643 lights, have been installed across the city. Officials were instructed to expedite installation in the remaining areas.

Improved streetlighting is expected to strengthen public infrastructure and improve illumination on roads and other civic spaces.

The minister directed the concerned departments to monitor the pending works and ensure that the remaining installations are completed without unnecessary delay.

Central Market project nearing completion

The progress of the Mangaluru Central Market project was also reviewed.

The market is being developed under the public-private partnership (PPP) model at an estimated cost of around ₹150 crore. The project includes 586 shops and is reportedly nearing completion.

The minister reviewed the status of the project and directed officials to ensure that the remaining works are completed according to the required standards.

Projects relating to markets at Kankanady, Kadri, Urwa and Surathkal were also discussed. Officials were instructed to complete pending works at these locations at the earliest.

The development of modern market infrastructure is expected to improve facilities for traders as well as residents who depend on these commercial centres.

100% waste segregation targeted

Waste management received particular attention during the review.

Yathindra Siddaramaiah directed officials to ensure 100% segregation of waste at source and instructed them to give greater priority to scientific waste management.

Mangaluru generates around 120 tonnes of wet waste, 125 tonnes of mixed waste, 15 tonnes of tender coconut and coconut waste and five tonnes of sanitary waste every day. In addition, the city generates around 250 tonnes of dry waste every week.

The figures highlight the scale of waste generated in the city and the importance of segregation at the household and commercial level.

Officials were instructed to strengthen segregation and ensure that different categories of waste are handled through appropriate scientific processes.

e-Khata distribution to be expedited

The minister also reviewed the progress of e-Khata services in Mangaluru.

Of the 2,22,256 e-Khatas in the city, 68,603 have been issued so far. Officials were directed to speed up the issuance of the remaining e-Khatas.

The minister instructed officials to ensure that eligible residents do not face unnecessary delays in obtaining khata and plot-related services.

The digitalisation of khata services is part of the broader effort to simplify civic administration and make municipal services more accessible to residents.

Public toilets and Command Centre

Yathindra Siddaramaiah further directed officials to ensure that public toilets across the city are kept clean and properly maintained.

He also instructed officials to make effective use of the Smart City project’s Command Centre to monitor the overall management of the city and public services.

The Command Centre can be used to monitor civic infrastructure and service delivery, and the minister emphasised the need to utilise the facility effectively for urban management.

Officials and elected representatives attend

Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta, MLA Dr Bharath Shetty Y, and MLCs Ivan D’Souza, P V Mohan and Kishore Kumar Botyadi attended the meeting.

MUDA Chairman Santhosh Kumar Shetty, former mayor Bhaskar Moily, Karnataka State Seed and Organic Certification Agency Chairperson Lavanya Ballal Jain, MCC Commissioner Rahul Ratnam Pandey and MUDA Commissioner Mohammed Nazir were also present.

Senior officials from various departments participated in the review.

The meeting placed emphasis on completing ongoing infrastructure projects, expanding essential civic networks and improving the delivery of municipal services. With Mangaluru continuing to expand, the directions issued at the meeting are aimed at strengthening basic urban infrastructure while ensuring that ongoing projects are completed within their stipulated timelines.