Smart City tag: Mangalore to add 2 gram panchayats, 513 people

Mangalore: Realizing that Mangalore City falls short of 513 people to qualify for the “Smart City,” project of the Central government, Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) has asked the State government to merge two Gram Panchayats with the city and thereby add a population of about 81,031 to the city.

According to MCC Mayor Mahabla Marla the Union government plans to develop  20 fastest growing cities with a population of 5 lakh to 10 lakh as Smart Cities.

The total population of Mangalore City as per the 2011 census is 4,99,487 and it falls short of 513 people to reach the criteria of 5 lakh. the city administration which is very keen on getting this project has decided to take steps to add the necessary population to the City and it make it eligible to compete with other cities for the project.

“Three years ago MCC council had passed a resolution deciding to include Gram Panchayats  Moodushedde and Bala, situated adjacent to MCC limits. Though the proposal was sent to the state government, it has not yet decided on this. We will ask the state government to add these two Panchayats and later send the proposal to the Union government for identifying Mangalore as smart city.

The total population of these two villages is 81,031. Adding these would help us qualify for the Smart City project,”Mayor Mahabala Marla said.