Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Sep 23: The old building of Haji Abdulla Mother and Child Hospital standing at the heart of the city has been demolished for the purpose of building a super specialty hospital in its place. A private company that has bagged this contract has dug the earth for laying the ground floor. Now, rainwater has accumulated in this pit.

The government has entered into an agreement with BRS company for building Koosamma Shambhu Shetty Memorial Haji Abdulla government women and child hospital. Work on the multi-storied hospital building had started. But because of legal issues, the construction work was suspended some months back. Due to heavy rain received two days back this pit has filled to the brim. An artificial pond has taken shape over about a 1.39-acre plot opposite the municipal building.

The water is stored in a huge pit and there is apprehension that the standing water may pose risk to multi-storied buildings standing near this spot. The locals also are afraid that this might become a breeding ground for mosquitoes as some construction equipment are lying at the spot. Social worker, Ganeshraj Saralebettu has urged the district administration to either fill the pit or instruct the concerned to take necessary precautionary measures.

Executive engineer of the municipality, Mohanraj said that because of legal problems two notices were issued by the municipality to suspend construction work. The concerned were also told to take steps to see that nearby buildings are not endangered. As water is standing in the pit now, they will be asked to pump the water out, he added.