Umesh Marpalli

Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (MS)

Udupi, Jun 15: In a show of strength and unity of the commoners, an encroachment on the public road was cleared by the public itself on Saturday, June 8 at Gundibailu near here.

The owner of a petrol pump that is functioning near Gundibailu had encroached the drain that carries the rain water. As it was a government holiday due to second Saturday, members from the public themselves resorted to build a compound wall on it. The local citizens, who noticed this illegal act of the petrol pump owner informed the matter to the concerned engineer of city municipality over phone. However, the officials of the municipality did not arrive to the spot as it was a holiday and in support of the petrol pump owner indirectly.

The public which got infuriated by the lacklustre attitude of the city municipality officials, demolished the half built compound wall with their own hands. The group of citizens included women also.

There is a storm water drain that runs from Doddannagudde to Gundibailu. The alert and bold citizens of Gundibailu area taught a fitting lesson to the owner of the petrol pump, who, otherwise would have encroached nearly 1.5 cent area of the government land.

The citizens are saying that even the officials of the city municipality have to be taught a similar lesson. The public is urging that at least now, the engineers and commissioners of the city municipality have to wake up and take strict action against the builders and certain individuals who construct buildings without abiding by the rules and regulations of the city municipality.