Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Sep 4: Nearly a year after the devastating Manjanady Koppala tragedy, Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner Darshan visited the spot on Thursday to examine allegations of unscientific construction work that is suspected to have contributed to the collapse that claimed the lives of Ashwini’s two children and left her without both legs.
During the inspection, Darshan assured Ashwini that five cents of land (equivalent to 2,178 square feet) would be provided immediately for her residence. He directed the taluk tahsildar to prepare a complete proposal and submit it to the Deputy Commissioner’s office at the earliest.
The tragedy occurred on May 30, 2025, and the visit marked the deputy commissioner’s first inspection of the site nearly a year after the incident.
Ashwini’s brother Pavan Kumar met DC Darshan and pointed out that the family had not received the expected response from the government following the tragedy. He urged the administration to provide the family with a suitable site along the roadside where they could build a home.
He also presented documents supporting the allegation that the construction work at the site had been carried out in an unscientific manner.
Documents obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, along with reports submitted by the engineers concerned, were handed over to the deputy commissioner. The family requested a further investigation based on the records.
Local residents assured the authorities of their full co-operation in the investigation. They also briefed Darshan about the alleged lapses in the construction work carried out at the site.
Speaking during the visit, Darshan said, “I visited the site with the objective of ascertaining the truth regarding the alleged unscientific construction work. Steps will be taken at the earliest to provide five cents of land to Ashwini for a residence. A report will be submitted to the government in this regard. The tahsildar will be instructed to immediately submit the necessary documents and reports to the Deputy Commissioner’s office.”
Zilla Panchayat CEO Vinayak Kharbikar, executive officer Gurudatt, tahsildar Prashanth Patil, revenue inspector Pramod, village administrative officer Chaitra, engineer Nithin, Ashwini’s husband Sitaram and local residents were present during the visit.