Tue Dec 10 14:27:42 UTC 2024: ## Mangaluru Remembers Former Chief Minister S.M. Krishna’s Legacy

**Mangaluru, December 10, 2024** – Tributes poured in from across Mangaluru for former Karnataka Chief Minister S.M. Krishna, remembering his significant contributions to the coastal region’s development. Krishna’s tenure is widely lauded for its far-sighted projects, particularly the ₹2,000 crore Karnataka Urban Development and Coastal Environmental Management Project (KUDCEMP) in 2001. This initiative, allocating ₹350 crore specifically to Mangaluru, focused on upgrading drinking water supply and drainage infrastructure across coastal Karnataka, including Mangaluru, Ullal, Puttur, Udupi, and other towns.

Former Mayor Mahabala Marla highlighted Krishna’s role in sanctioning the KUDCEMP funds, while former Mangaluru City South MLA J.R. Lobo, who served as the project director, emphasized its wide-ranging impact. Other improvements cited included the construction of a concrete road between PVS Circle and Narayan Guru Circle, inaugurated by Krishna in 2003.

Beyond infrastructure development, Krishna’s leadership was praised for its deft handling of crises, including the Cauvery water dispute and the kidnapping of actor Rajkumar. His political acumen was also acknowledged, with former Minister B. Ramanath Rai noting Krishna’s successful “Panchajanya” campaign that brought the Congress to power in 2002. Furthermore, Krishna’s role in establishing KEONICS in Bengaluru’s Electronics City was credited for the city’s growth as a software hub.

Current and former officials, including Mangaluru City South MLA D. Vedavyasa Kamath, Dakshina Kannada MP Capt. Brijesh Chowta, and Speaker U.T. Khader, expressed their condolences and highlighted Krishna’s national contributions as External Affairs Minister. The consensus across tributes painted a picture of a visionary leader who left an enduring mark on Karnataka’s development.

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