Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Apr 8: Several development works including Smart City, GAIL gas pipe, general works undertaken by the city corporation etc are being carried out in various parts of the city now. At a few places, main concrete roads and footpaths have been dug. As a result, the commoners are facing a lot of problems.

Currently, some works have been suspended while some others are moving at a slow pace. The vehicle riders in particular face a lot of problems as a result. This has been resulting in traffic snarls in the morning and evening hours. Many buses, in order to stick to their time schedules, have been using interior roads to bypass the traffic, which is resulting in problems for the passengers, it is learnt.

The city is transforming itself into a smart city and it is natural for the people to face some problems when development works are under way. However, the people are justified in feeling disgruntled when several works are undertaken together, but after some stage, get either stranded or fail to get completed. Already there is a shortage of space for vehicle parking in the city. Now, with several works at different stages, the parking space crunch is affecting people.

Works are currently on at Lalbagh, PVS, Yeyyady, Konchadi, Kapikad, Bunts Hostel, Bejai etc. GAIL has been digging roads and footpaths for laying gas pipelines. Some roads have developed potholes as a result of digging, posing serious danger for the vehicle riders. Due to rain experienced a week back, sand and mud that were dug out have now reached the middle of the road, causing the two-wheeler riders to skid and fall on the roads.

Jalasiri works are going on at Kankanady-Mangaladevi road, and also footpath and underground drainage works there, along with smart city works that have resumed after being suspended by the high court for some time, have given rise to complications in this busy locality. Social worker, Gopalakrisghna Bhat, says that a decision taken at a meeting by the city corporation, smart city and GAIL officials to conduct works through mutual coordination has not been implemented.

Mayor Premananda Shetty, when requesting the people to cooperate with the development works that are creating problems for them, said that the officials have been asked to conduct works without posing problems for the people. He said that most of the works will be completed before the monsoon season begins.