R B Jagadish
Daijiworld Media Network - Karkala (SP)

Karkala, Feb 14: You question any citizen from Karkala taluk about the location of Kuppandoor. You might just see confusion in their eyes, expression totally being at sea about it, or you may also see them scratching their heads for an answer.

Of course, there is no place with the name, 'Kuppandoor' in the taluk or Udupi district. But the big board planted by Mangaluru division of National Highways Authority of India here claims that the spot where it stands happens to be the starting point of the road leading to Kuppandoor. The board claiming that the road diversion which purportedly leads to Kuppandoor can be found at Bajagoli Junction.

This board was recently installed for the convenience of people who travel to their destinations through alternative roads in view of the closure of Shiradi Ghat stretch of national highway 75 between Mangaluru and Bengaluru.

The place in question happens to be Kukkundoor, an important place in the taluk. The people resent the fact that the name of such an important place has been distorted because of the irresponsibility of some government officials. They hope that the concerned will correct their mistake at least now.

Uday Salian, member of the taluk Agricultural Produce Market Committee, has blamed the officials concerned for this faux paus. He asserts that it is the duty of the concerned to properly read and make ammends before a board is prepared and installed.