Mangaluru: The new market complex built at a cost of Rs 41 crore in Kankanady in the city could not be opened even after the completion of structural work. The 10-storey project, taken up in 2021, was delayed as construction costs escalated, leading to a financial crunch. Following this, the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has decided to sanction Rs 2.4 crore to complete the solid waste management (SWM), liquid waste management (LWM) and fire and safety measures.Officials said that the civil works on the Kankanady market complex were already completed. Works of the SWM, LWM and installation of fire and safety equipment were not taken up due to a funding shortage. The city corporation has sanctioned Rs 85.5 lakh to provide SWM and Rs 67 lakh for LWM infrastructure. In addition, Rs 95 lakh has been sanctioned to implement a fire and safety mechanism in the market building, said sources.Deputy commissioner Darshan HV, who is the administrator of the MCC, said that the city corporation’s budget for 2026-27 has earmarked funds for the construction and redevelopment of market buildings in the city. In addition to the Kankanady market, the corporation has also earmarked Rs 3 crore to repurpose the new Urwa Market. Though the Urwa Market was built at a cost of Rs 14 crore through the Mangaluru Urban Development Authority (Muda), the facility could not be made functional, he said.In fact, the foundation stone for the Urwa Market Complex was laid in 2016 by the then district minister B Ramanath Rai. The market was inaugurated on Jan 27, 2019, by the then minister for urban development, UT Khader.On the new Central Market, which is being developed under a PPP model, the DC said that the work is almost complete and ready for business operations. Similarly, the work on Surathkal Market, which was taken up at an estimated cost of Rs 61 crore, is likely to be completed in 2026-27.
