by Sibanthi Padmanabha K V/DHNS
Mangalore, Nov 1: After cries over the miseries of the entrepreneurs and customers on the Balmatta-Jyothi road in the backdrop of the ongoing concretisation process, several complaints have arisen regarding the speed and plan of the ongoing project.
Public and experts, who are constantly watching the process, have alleged that the project is being implemented in “most unscientific manner”.
“Seeing the speed of the work in the initial days, we thought that the road will be left free for public within 3-4 months, and neglected the loss we were experiencing. But the situation has totally changed now; the project is progressing in a snail’s pace,” said the proprietor of a showroom on Balmatta-Jyothi road.
The concretisation process had commenced on September 24. According to the authorities concerned, the project must be completed by the end of December, but the progress achieved so far has worried businessmen and customers.
Though most of the entrepreneurs agree with the point that they should bear with the difficulties for a development purpose, they have complaints regarding alternative arrangements and the quality of the constructions.
‘Unscientific’
Expressing his unhappiness over the ongoing works, a City-based consultant engineer said the project is being implemented in an unscientific manner.
“The concrete base laid for the stormwater drainage on either side of the road measures about 11 inches, which is totally unnecessary. It is a sheer waste of public money, which could have been used for some other purpose,” he noted.
Another engineer, who has been constantly watching the process, said the parking space to be allotted on the road will not be more than 2 mts compared to the space used for the gutter. “Many a four-wheelers are much longer than two metres. The space allotted in Hampankatta is at least 4 mts, though the entire stretch is not completed.”
The pavement is said to be not on par with other standard pavements. The mistake committed in Jyothi-Hampankatta road is being repeated here. The footpath is of 10-inches height from the road there, he added.
The public using the stretch also complained about the fragile condition of the temporary bridges laid as temporary arrangements to approach the shops. “The customers have to jump from steps of one shop to another as there is literally no space to walk. A few have already fallen into the pits,” said a public.
KUDCEMP clarifies
When contacted; KUDCEM Project Director J R Lobo denied any unscientific approach in the implementation of the project. “The people who speak about unscientific approach have no scientific knowledge. Everything is going as per plans,” he informed.
When contacted; KUDCEM Project Director J R Lobo denied any unscientific approach in the implementation of the project. “The people who speak about unscientific approach have no scientific knowledge. Everything is going as per plans,” he informed.