Mangalore : Mangalore will see JN-NURM low floored buses in the near future if the promise made by Union Minister for Urban Development Kamalnath becomes a reality.
Kamalnath who responded to an appeal made to senior Congressman from DK and Union Minister for Surface Transport Oscar Fernandes, said the Centre was willing to release Rs 200 crores to Mangalore under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JN-NURM) if the state government sent a proposal.
He also stated that there were plans to provide low-floored buses under JN-NURM to Mangalore which are much convenient to board and alight for people of all age groups and also for the sick.
Kamalnath also told Oscar who met him recently that the first installment of Rs 100 crores would be sanctioned immediately while the rest Rs 100 crores would be provided after the state government sent a proposal.
Oscar earlier made it a point to the minister that Mangalore needed to be brought under NURM and that it was not able to achieve progress on expected lines for want of funds despite being the highest tax payer and also despite being in the forefront in the educational and tourism sector.