Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network—Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Nov 14: As you entering the district authority office at Manipal, you are greeted by concrete stone dust. Manipal is the crown of Udupi and the centre of educational institutions; yet the roads are in a pathetic condition. The stretch from Syndicate Circle to DC Office Road, Rajathadri Manipal, has not been fully constructed.
The DC office is the core center for all government activities and the Regional Transport Office also set up nearby.
The incomplete work has created a dusty atmosphere for commuters and pedestrians alike. It is quite likely that frequent visitors to the area might develop some kind of chest infection after inhaling the polluted air. Finishing work on two sides is yet to be completed. All leaders are only giving verbal assurances of speeding up the work, but nothing has translated into action yet.
On this route, three rickshaw stands and a bus stand are located. This is not a big issue for the government officials because they travel in air-conditioned cars. The true victims are the common people and police constables. Who is to be held accountable for all this?
Contractor Uday Kumar says, “The road planning was implemented when Reju was deputy commissioner (DC) of Udupi. Now this has had a bad impact on the public. The CMC had seen an expense of Rs 5-6 crore. Gradually some alterations were made in the road map to increase the budget and the figure touched Rs 7.5 crore. So, I am waiting for intimation from the committee on continuing the work.”
District MLA Pramod Madhwaraj, speaking to Daijiworld, said, “Right now, the weather is not suitable for road work. There is a shortage of money under the Nagarottana Scheme, so we need Rs 7 crore for completion. The current road is more than sufficient for the public and will be completed by the end of December.”
The committee work is being executed by CMC commissioner Srikanth Rao, PWD, and the DC. The actual problem is not the labourers, but the delay in the approval process. It would take more than two months.
In six months, Udupi district has seen three DCs. If the government does such thoughtless things, how can we develop?
The bus drivers and passengers need to wear a mask while passing by. It has become very tough for bike riders and the locals. The road is not a national highway, but sees high density of traffic. Hundreds of people pass by this route daily.
Dr Vishal, the new DC said, “I do not have much information; we have to study that and I will take action soon.”
Whatever it may be, the government’s delays are causing the common man to suffer. If this continues, the people will soon lose faith in politicians. It would be good if the concerned committee takes immediate and stern action to enable rapid road construction.