Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Oct 21: Citizens of the state have been facing innumerable problems because of potholes dotting roads all over. A large number of people have been voicing their criticism at the way things are moving, and apathy in addressing this issue. Chief minister, Siddaramaiah, too is coming under fire in social circles because of bad, unattended roads. A number of people have lost their lives because of wretched roads in Bengaluru, Udupi, Moodbidri and several other places. Still, no operations were undertaken to fill potholes so far.
However, the officials have suddenly gone into a tizzy, considering the visit of the chief minister to the district. Siddaramaiah would be visiting Bantwal for inaugurating various development works initiated under the leadership of district in-charge minister, B Ramanath Rai, and to take part in a programme at Dharmasthala, on October 22. The officials, who were mute witnesses to the problems created by the potholes so far, have suddenly plunged into action, and temporary filling of potholes has been undertaken with tremendous zeal now.
The chief minister, after his arrival at the local airport, may take road route to visit Bantwal and Dharmasthala. In the light of this, the roads through which he is expected to move are being given a facelift albeit through temporary measures. The patches on road between B C Road and Ujire have been repaired now.
Officials of the department say that as a normal practice, roads are repaired after the rainy season and that the highway between Ujire and B C Road has been taken up for repairs on priority because of extensive damage to the road in Beltangady town and Guruvayanakere. They clarified that the work has not been taken because of chief minister's visit but as per the standard practice. Assistant executive engineer of the department, Yashwant Kumar, said that in the first phase, ten lac rupees has been sanctioned for highway repair and by using this fund, works are being undertaken between B C Road and Charmadi.