Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Sep 9: A day after four children embarrassed the authorities by personally filling potholes near Bunts Hostel, the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has finally swung into action, beginning repair work on pothole-ridden stretches across the city.
The incident involving Mohammed Ayan, Mohammed Aman, and their two friends had gone viral, drawing sharp criticism from the public against the civic body for neglecting basic road maintenance. The children’s move — coupled with their satirical banner calling MCC the ‘Mangalore Careless Corporation’ — struck a chord with citizens, further intensifying the pressure on the corporation.
Faced with public outrage, MCC personnel on September 8 evening and September 9 morning, began closing potholes at several key junctions, including Hampankatta, Nanthoor, and Bunts Hostel. Officials said that teams have been instructed to prioritise accident-prone areas and ensure temporary measures are in place until more durable repairs can be undertaken.
The civic body’s sudden response has been widely attributed to the embarrassment caused by the children’s act of civic duty. “It should not take children to remind the authorities of their responsibilities,” remarked a passerby at Hampankatta, watching the ongoing work.
Citizens, however, remain sceptical about the sustainability of MCC’s efforts. Many have demanded long-term, quality repairs instead of temporary patchwork, warning that superficial fixes will not prevent accidents during the monsoon.