Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, May 13: National highway 169A is being expanded. A family which lost its house to the highway expansion programme at Parkala village is now living in a dilapidated shed with no other choice at hand.

The family of Shankaranna (74), Prafulla Shettigar (65) and Prameela Shettigar (50) is in a fix as they do not have a site where they can live. They have lost the land and house that was located adjacent to the highway. The land behind belongs to the joint family which cannot be used unless partition is done. The family therefore is forced to live in a small shed.

If it rains, the family has to start living in the house of relatives. Shankaranna, eldest brother, was supporting the family by doing book binding work in the press that was located in front of their house. With the road expansion, the press has been shifted, and he has lost his job.

The family has not got the compensation for the land acquired for the highway expansion from the government. The family is clueless how they can lead life at a time when Coronavirus has also been stalking. The family members say that the officials respond to their questions haughtily and say that there is a stay order for the works. Prafulla Shettigar with tears in her eyes, blames the district administration for hastily demolishing their house and then doing nothing to mitigate their problems.

For building a house in own land, permissions of the municipality and urban development authority are needed. The family is facing a financial crisis and hence is unable to do anything. The family pleads for disbursement of compensation so that they can have a proper roof over their heads.

Social worker Ganeshraj Saralabettu too feels that it is the duty of the district administration to extend help to the devastated family.