Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)

Udupi, May 28: BJP Udupi city president Dinesh Amin has strongly criticised the Udupi City Municipal Council (CMC), alleging complete failure in carrying out essential pre-monsoon preparedness works in the city.

Addressing a press conference in Udupi on Wednesday, Dinesh Amin said that desilting works of major rainwater drains, minor canals, and roadside drains meant for rainwater flow have not yet been undertaken. Owing to the delay, there is a serious possibility of waterlogging in several parts of the city during heavy rainfall, he alleged.

Dinesh Amin further stated that drain cleaning works in the Bannanje area have also not commenced. Warning the civic body of protests, he said that if the desilting works are not completed within a week, the BJP would lay siege to the municipal council office. He also accused the council of unfairly increasing trade licence fees.

Former municipal council president Prabhakar Poojary said that the council’s term had ended in October and that several meetings regarding pre-monsoon preparedness had been held under the leadership of the local MLA. During these meetings, officials were repeatedly informed about the urgent need for drain desilting, he said.

Prabhakar Poojary further claimed that most of the city’s drains are clogged, causing rainwater to overflow onto roads and create inconvenience for the public. He also accused the municipal council of illegally increasing trade licence fees. Prabhakar Poojary expressed dissatisfaction that staff members are often unavailable on time at the municipal office, which is expected to provide proper public services, and said the office remains mostly empty when people visit for work.

District BJP vice-president Kiran Kumar Bailoor alleged that such mismanagement in the municipal council is occurring due to the negligence of the district administration. He said the administration has completely failed in financial consolidation and has also neglected waste disposal management. He further alleged that works awarded through tenders are not being completed within the stipulated time, increasing inconvenience to the public.

Accusing both the municipal council and district administration of failing to discharge their responsibilities properly, he warned that protests would be launched if permanent solutions to the issues are not provided within a week.

Jagadish Acharya and Rashmika Shetty were present at the press conference.