Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, June 22: Though the newly inaugurated district administrative complex ‘Praja Saudha’ at Alape in Mangaluru stands as a symbol of power and governance in Dakshina Kannada, the surrounding areas of the complex are plagued by persistent civic problems.
Located adjacent to the Bengaluru–Mangaluru National Highway (NH 73), Alape South Ward is also home to the Mangaluru Junction railway station.
The long-pending demand for an underpass at Bajal–Padil Road was met recently to ease the wait time caused by frequent railway gate closures. However, the underpass has created a new challenge—waterlogging during rains, requiring frequent pumping. Even the national highway in front of Praja Saudha suffers from similar water stagnation during showers.
The Juma Masjid (J M) Road, which connects Padil to Jappinamogaru via Pakkaladka, has been widened and concretised, but lacks stormwater drains and footpaths. At Jalligudde, rainwater overflows directly onto the road, making it hazardous for two-wheeler riders on the steep concrete slope.
Silted drain at Pakkaladka
The stormwater drain separating Alape South and Kankanady-B wards is choked with silt, causing rainwater to overflow onto the road leading to the Panchalingeshwara Temple at Pakkaladka.
“This has been a recurring problem every monsoon. Even after bringing it to the attention of the city corporation, the silt returns soon after being cleared. The drain needs to be widened and fitted with a concrete wall for proper water flow,” urged local resident Jagadish Shetty.
Demand to extend bus service to Padil
Private city buses currently operate from State Bank to Jappinamogaru via Pakkaladka. Locals have demanded that these services be extended by another 1.5 km to Padil, facilitating easier access to Praja Saudha.
Near the Jalligudde railway gate, the railways have concretised the road up to Vijayanagara, but a 300-metre stretch within Vijayanagara remains full of potholes. As this stretch falls under city corporation limits, residents are urging its development through municipal funds.
A sewage treatment plant (STP) was established in the ward a few years ago. Though the foul smell has significantly reduced, untreated wastewater is reportedly still being discharged into the nearby fields on the southern side, locals complain.
Most internal roads developed
“From the Jalligudde underpass to Jalligudde Cross, the road has been widened and concretised. The footpath is yet to be built. Due to some property owners not handing over land, part of the work remains incomplete. The road-widening project up to Bajal Perjil is underway. All pending underground drainage connections have been completed. With funds from the MLA and the city corporation, works worth over Rs 20 crore have been undertaken. Most of the internal roads in the ward have been developed. The Karmar–Manalkodi road is nearly complete. Only the Bollada road work is pending,” said former corporator Shobha Poojary.
Shoddy work alleged
Locals have raised concerns over poor-quality concrete work on the road connecting Bajal Pakkaladka to Kanekar, which was redone barely four to five months ago. A heavy lorry reportedly damaged the concrete stretch, prompting residents to question the standard of work.
“That road was full of potholes and resembled a slushy field. We were happy when it was finally concretised. But now, it’s disheartening to see it fall apart in just a few months,” said a local resident..