Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jul 18: Minister U T Khader, had requested members of the general public to bring to the notice of officials details of pits, damaged portions and potholes they find on the roads. The cellphone numbers of officials to who complaints can be sent were also given. The minister's suggestion got overwhelming response, with a large number of complaints having been received by officials.

Although the minister had sought information about bad condition of national highways and district main roads which are maintained by public works department, people have come out with information about a number of other roads too. The general public were told that information about zilla panchayat roads, village roads, roads within the city that are managed by the engineering department of the zilla panchayat, roads managed by the city corporation, city municipalities, town municipalities, town panchayats, gram panchayats etc should be provided to the respective departments.

Officials of different taluks and subdivisions confirmed having received such complaints accompanied by photos in large numbers. However, most of the complaints pertain to highways and zilla panchayat roads. Out of complaints received, only about ten percent relate to PWD roads, the officials said.

Three officials in Udupi division got about 15 messages each. The PWD officials said that they have asked the divisional officials to visit the spots and that those who called them have been provided with cellphone numbers of national highway and zilla panchayat officials concerned as they have to act upon such complaints. The officials said that they will take complaints about PWD roads with all seriousness and take prompt steps to undertake repairs.