Santhosh Kumar Shetty took charge as chairman of the Mangalore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) on Monday and made implementing the master plan for Mangaluru his top priority. He said the master plan proposal had been submitted to the government in January and that the clarifications sought had been furnished. He added that minor hurdles would be discussed with Minister U T Khader and Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and that the plan would be implemented once final government approval was obtained.

Shetty outlined a push to accelerate infrastructure works and the allotment of residential sites across MUDA layouts. The Kunjathbail layout, spanning 18 acres, contains nearly 200 sites; 35 have been allotted and the remainder are being processed. The Konaje layout, covering 13.5 acres with 142 sites, had faced technical delays that the authority will resolve before resuming work. At Chelyaru, development has begun on around 700 sites across 45 acres and the earlier confusion over site cost revision will be addressed using prevailing market values.

MUDA will not be restricted to site allocation but must contribute to comprehensive infrastructure development across the city, including expansion towards Surathkal, Baikampady and Mulki. The authority plans to construct flyovers and underpasses to improve connectivity. Shetty indicated that MUDA would also identify lakes and other waterbodies within its jurisdiction and accelerate their development and rejuvenation.

Recognising limited availability of large parcels for parks, MUDA will seek to develop smaller parks in residential neighbourhoods by utilising plots of around 25 or 50 cents and by acquiring suitable private land. With land prices rising within the city and residential purchases becoming difficult for low- and middle-income families, the authority plans affordable residential sites and housing projects on the outskirts. To curb the role of middlemen and brokers, MUDA intends to simplify rules and processes after consulting elected representatives, MLAs and officials to make procedures more accessible to applicants.