Stany Bela
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Jun 12: People in Kulur cannot forget the promises made by political representatives, while campaigning for the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls. Yet, the residents near St Antony High School, Kavoor, say that they do not want to recollect those promises nor pin hopes on politicians as they have been repeatedly cheated.
The residents highlight that for over 30 years, they have been using a mud road to commute. This road which connects St Antony High School, St Antony Church and hundreds of houses in the area to the highway is awaiting asphalt from so many years.
The rains make the condition of this road even worse. The road ends up being a sludgy mess, where people can neither walk nor travel on their two-wheelers. Stories of people slipping, people meeting with accidents as their bikes skid is common. Even cars and other vehicles get stuck in the sludge.
St Antony High School is located on this road. Students of St Antony English Medium School also use the same road and find it challenging to attend school. Akshara Dasoha Centre is situated opposite the school and a simple task of carrying the food from kitchen to school has become a challenge for the staff due to potholes and sludge on the road. Meanwhile, assurances of getting the road repaired by political representatives have become a joke among residents. Foundation stones were laid three times to concrete this road, but still the road has never seen concrete.
Speaking to Daijiworld.com, Mabel, an office bearer of Kuloor Church said, “For many years, we have been demanding a concrete road to this place. We met all politicians, government authorities and district administration. But as no one cares we live in misery. Hundreds of schoolchildren and elderly people use this road risking their lives. Apathy by authorities is the main cause of casualties which happen on this road during rainy season.”
During summer, the muddy stretch causes dust clouds. Dust settles on houses, schools and the Akshara Dasoha Centre in large quantities and people cannot open their windows and doors.
When team Daijiworld met Kuloor Church parish priest Fr Vincent D’Souza, he explained the irresponsibility of elected representatives and authorities. “Government has already allocated a certain amount for the concrete work of the road. In the past three years, officials laid foundation stones three times for renovation of the road. But nothing happened and it seems that the officials have completely forgotten the project. Thousands of people use this road during rainy season and it is very difficult to travel on this stretch. On behalf of locals, through media, I am requesting the administration and elected representatives to take swift action and make this road usable for people,” he said.