3D Planetarium, First in the Country to come up at Pilikula – MLA Lobo
Mangaluru: “On behalf of people of Dakshina Kannada, I would like to thank Chief minister Siddaramaiah for giving preference for the development of Dakshina Kannada in the 2017-18 budget. I have seen many budgets, but this is a very good budget in favour of the common man. For us, our district is very dear and Chief minister Siddaramaiah has presented a great budget for the district which is above our expectations. Importance has been given for the development of the district and also to meet the basic needs of the people. This year will see a lot of development in every field”, said MLA of Mangaluru South Constituency J R Lobo in a press meet held at the DCC office here on March 18.
Addressing the mediapersons Lobo said, “We did not expect such a beneficial budget for the district. If the budget will be implemented in a proper manner, everyone will benefit. In Karnataka, there was no policy for the farmers involved in Toddy tapping. In this budget, the government has agreed to implement Neera Policy so that the coconut farmers can tap sweet sap from the coconut tree. The Malpe and the Mangaluru fishing harbours will be developed. Since we face drinking water problems and because of problems in the Yettinahole project, we requested the Chief minister to implement the Paschima Vahini scheme and the government has earmarked Rs 100 crore for the Paschima Vahini. We need Rs 1000 crore to complete the Paschima Vahini project which will solve the problem of drinking water and water for agriculture in the twin districts.
Lobo also said, “The district Wenlock hospital will be upgraded to a regional hospital. At present we have a regional hospital only in Mysuru. People from 8 districts come to the Wenlock for treatment. If the Wenlock hospital will be upgraded to a regional hospital, Mangaluru will also have a regional hospital and people from 8 districts will benefit from it. The government has allocated Rs 10 crore for the Haj Bhavan in Mangaluru. For the welfare of the NRI’s, the Kerala model will be adopted and already a forum has been formed and the NRK’s will be provided with all the facilities in Karnataka. On behalf of the NRI’s of Karnataka, I would like to thank Chief minister Siddaramaiah for considering our request to form the NRI forum for the welfare of the NRK’s.”
The government has released Rs 150 crore for the development of the city under the smart city project and another Rs 150 crore will be sanctioned by the Union government. This year we will receive a total of Rs 300 crore for the development of the city. So far we have not started any work related to the smart city, in the coming days, the smart city project work will be started. The annual surfing festival will be held in Mangaluru to promote tourism. In the country, Mangaluru will be the only destination to have a surfing festival. If we successfully hold the surfing festival, Mangaluru will be a tourist destination on the world map.”
For the development of the airport, the government has taken all the measures to acquire 285 acres of land and has sanctioned funds for the same. To develop the roads going to the airport Rs 50 crores has been sanctioned. An IT park will also be developed for which the government has assured its support. The government has taken measures for the construction of a 3D planetarium at Pilikula. When Yogish Bhat was the MLA, I had shown my interest to construct the 3D planetarium. I would like to thank Yogish Bhat for his interest to construct a Planetarium in Maqngaluru. In the beginning, the total cost of the planetarium was Rs 8 crore. When we later thought of upgrading it to a 3D digital planetarium the cost increased to Rs 35.65 crores, when I discussed the issue with the Minister for Planning, Statistics, Science, and Technology M R Seetharam, he sanctioned the full amount for the project. It is an 18 meter round shaped planetarium which will be the first of its kind in the country. The total cost of the 3D planetarium is Rs 35.65 crore. The government has approved the project and earmarked Rs 35.65 crore. The international tender process is in progress and by September or October, we will inaugurate the 3D planetarium at Pilikula. I also thank Chief minister Siddaramaiah and minister M R Seetharam for their support.”
Mayor Kavitha Sanil, DCC president in-charge Kodijal Ibrahim, deputy Mayor Rajneesh and others were also present.