Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network–Bantwal (EP)
Bantwal, Jan 22: Mangaluru assistant commissioner Renuka Prasad on Saturday January 21, presided over a meeting of Bantwal market traders, officials and elected representatives to arrive at a logical end to the market widening project. The meeting failed to arrive at the unanimous decision even after lengthy discussion and arguments.
The former deputy commissioner (DC) A B Ibrahim and the present DC Dr Jagadish had taken the initiative of market widening project and had held several meetings. Several surveys were also conducted on directives by the deputy commissioner. The meeting today faced setbacks after traders urged that the process should be undertaken only after provision of basic facilities.
While some argued that road widening was must, others argued that it was not needed. “The bypass road is constructed spending several crores in order to save Bantwal market. If widening to the extent of nine meters is carried out, a part of the shops will be destroyed. With it, poor traders will face hardship. If selling of items on footpaths is stopped and vehicles are provided alternative arrangement for parking instead of in front of the shops, widening is not necessary for the time being,” suggested cashew corporation president B H Khader to the officials.
The traders association supported the statement. “We do not object to widening of the market. But conduct the work only after providing basic facilities to the market,” said Suresh Baliga, president of the trader’s association.
The opinion that a scientific survey should be conducted before widening of the road after taking into confidence all the traders in the market was heard in the meeting. “The officials should inspect the road before widening it. People and traders are facing problems in Kaikamba because of widening of road. What if such a situation occurs in Bantwal market?” asked municipal council member Monish Ali to the assistant commissioner.
The meeting concluded after recording some resolutions that were conducive to the opinions of the people. The resolutions were: To identify a place for rickshaw parking, assignment of traffic police during peak hours from 8 am to 10 am and 4 pm to 7 pm, scientific survey on both sides of the road taking local traders into confidence, no business to be allowed on footpaths, collection of opinions from people on whether widening was required or not, provision for bus stop at Devarakatte and provision of water in public toilet at Baddakatte.
Assistant Commissioner Renuka Prasad announced that the resolutions will be brought to the notice of deputy commissioner for further actions.
Municipal council president Ramakrishna Alva, vice president Mohammed Nandarabettu, project director Prasanna, Tahsildar Purandara Hedge, PWD assistant executive engineer Umesh Bhat, KUDC Engineer Shobhalatha, Council member Pravin B, appointed member Pravin Kini, Prakash Anchan and Vishwanath Chendthimar participated in the discussions.