Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Aug 5: In yet another instance of apathy from officials, the town municipality and taluk panchayat have remained indifferent to an open borewell situated under the Raj Tower Complex in Udupi city. It is located near the state highway and is 500 meters from a residential school. The area is inviting danger, especially for little children.
A few years ago, the complex owner had dug the borewell at a public place and the panchayat has done nothing about it. The school children have to pass through this road every day.
The open borewell belongs to a private entrepreneur and was constructed with permission from the city municipality. The complex houses many shops, an education centre, and a laboratory. There were no binding orders given to ensure safety, nor was any inspection done.
The question that arises on seeing the uncapped borewell is whether the municipality is afraid to take action against the building owner. This is situated in the midst of the city and also in a busy traffic area. The surrounding area is in a pathetic condition as also the parking area.
According to DC Muddumohan, "Permission (NOC) from the gram panchayat is a must before digging a borewell. Nearly 933 abandoned borewells exist in rural as well as urban areas."
"If the borewell is unused, the authority concerned will be held responsible and made to close the pit immediately. Authentic agencies, private sectors, and official corporations must compulsorily have NOCs from their panchayat," said the DC.
He further requested parents to take extra care of their children and be aware of dangerous areas.
Nityananda Olakadu of Udupi district civil committee, stated that if any uncapped borewell is noticed by the public, they should inform the committee and assured that the committee will come to fill it up. In fact, Olakadu himself too the intiative to place heavy stones around another defunct borewell so that it does not pose danger to passersby.