Daijiworld Media Network –Mangalore (VM)

Mangalore, Feb 8: The old port being a commercial hub of the city lacks basic infrastructure like roads, drainage facilities and others. As a result of which the workers shouting slogans began a protest from the old port and culminated in front of Mangalore city corporation on Thursday February 7.

The protest was conducted by the members of Shramikara Sangha led by CITU.

Addressing the protest, Lala Mohandas Prabhu, president of the old port wholesale and retail merchants stated,"the roads are completely damaged from municipal office till the Dhakke (Wharf) gate. As Hamali workers use handcarts here, they find it difficult to transport the freight".

"There is a serious effect on the workers health due to bad roads as damaged roads causes obstacles", said Vasanth Achari, CITU district secretary.

"For re-tarring the road, a tender was passed in May but the work never got started. The gravels were also shifted to another area overnight due to some political pressure. In this regard, we have undertaken several protest from last September but all our efforts went in vain ", he said.

Dr Harish Kumar, MCC commissioner visited the protest venue and accepted their plea. He said, "the Canara Chamber of Commerce have also submitted an appeal in the regard. We have already called the tender and soon the work will be started off, he promised.

Lancy Noronha, president of Shramikara Sangha, Harish Kerebail, Chandrahaas Kuttar, Ismail, Abdulla, Yogesh Jeppinamogaru, Farooq Ullal among others were present.