The Netravati Riverfront Promenade at Jeppu in Mangaluru on June 15, 2026. Except filling of soil behind the TVS Tread factory, not much work seems to have been carried out in the last one month when entry of people to the promenade was barred.
| Photo Credit: ANIL KUMAR SASTRY
Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner H. V. Darshan’s words of May 18 that the Netravathi Riverfront Promenade will be opened by June second week has missed the deadline even as the work on half of the stretch is going on at a snail’s pace.
The pedestrian walkway at the Netravati Riverfront Promenade, near the railway bridge, wore a deserted look on June 15, 2026.
| Photo Credit:
ANIL KUMAR SASTRY
Defending the bar on entry of people into the half-completed promenade, Mr. Darshan had stated that the prohibition was necessary to facilitate Mangaluru Smart City Limited (MSCL) to complete the remaining work on about 900 metres of the stretch. Of the 2.3-km proposed promenade, 1.8 km would be opened by June second week, he had stated.
Police deployment
Ever since the second week of May, police have been deployed at the makeshift entry near Mangalore Club/TVS Tread factory to prevent people from entering the half-completed promenade. MSCL officials had cited illegal and immoral activities taking place at night as the reason for police deployment.
The Netravati Riverfront Promenade at Jeppu in Mangaluru on June 15, 2026.
| Photo Credit:
ANIL KUMAR SASTRY
Though the promenade was not formally opened, people used to enter the riverfront through a gate, and spend time on the river bank, which hitherto had remained inaccessible. In the absence of any space for socialising in Mangaluru, people had found the promenade a good venue to unwind.
Little progress in work
Though Mr. Darshan had cited ongoing work as the reason to bar the entry of people, except dumping some soil behind the TVS factory, no other work appears to have been carried out during the last one month.
The children’s play area at the Netravati Riverfront Promenade.
| Photo Credit:
ANIL KUMAR SASTRY
MSCL officials, however, claimed that work on two cross drains and one utility duct was almost completed during the month. Within a week, all remaining work would be completed, they said.
Published – June 16, 2026 01:23 pm IST
