Akshata Shetty
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Dec 10: Officials of the city municipal council here, who have woken up to the inhuman conditions at Beedinagudde where huts of migrant workers had mushroomed, have swung into action to clear the mess. Daijiworld had alerted the civic authorities through its report about the unhygienic and pathetic conditions under which migrant workers hailing from north Karnataka districts have been living, exposing themselves and others from the area to the risks of epidemic and infectious diseases because of open defecation and dingy surroundings.
These huts are being cleared, and a nursery is about to replace the huts. Owner of the land who was collecting rent from the hut dwellers, employers of these workers, and workers themselves have responded positively to the initiative undertaken by the municipality. Gundu Shetty, who owns a stretch of the land, which had turned into a slum during the last some decades, too has bowed before the pressure brought by the civic authorities. He has expressed his willingness to remove the huts and use the land for setting of of 'Sri Ganga Nursery' in their place.
Shankar Shetty, who also owns a piece of land here, revealed that some of the workers, who had settled down in this locality since long, have left for their homes in north Karnataka. He said plans are afoot to provide them alternative accommodation elsewhere. Very soon, houses will be built with all basic facilities for them, he said.
A person residing near this area said that these workers, who were living in uninhabitable conditions since the last three decades, have finally got some reprieve. "The people from the surrounding areas have also heaved a sigh of relief, as they hope to breathe fresh air free of pollution and effluents emanating from the area. Mounting heap of trash in the area has been cleared, and a board warning people against disposing of waste at the spot has been planted there. We are looking forward to cleaner air and better living conditions," he added.
Another local, Geetha Shet, expressed the hope that other land owners too would come forward and act to vacate slums from the lands held by them. She said she is grateful to Shankar Shetty for his positive response to the problems of the people.
Echoing similar sentiments, another person residing nearby Beedinagudde urged the other land owners to toe the path showed by Shankar Shetty and clear their areas where workers are living in unhygienic conditions so that the city will get rid of these areas which have become an eyesore. He said that this will eventually add to the beauty of the city and provide a healthier environment for its citizens.