Pareekshith Shet
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Jun 29: People of Gundibail ward here had insisted that they are not in need of drainage. The city council did not listen to them. It was firm in its resolve to go ahead with drainage construction. Halfway through digging of road and drainage construction, the work encountered problem in the form of rains. The work stands suspended, and the environment in Gundibail ward has turned nauseous.
Situation at first cross road of Gundibail ward bears testimony to apathy of the local administration. During May this year, the road here was dug for drainage connection. People residing in over 35 houses on this road had opposed the work and even approached the city municipality council with a representation in writing against laying drainage there. The city council chose to overlook the fact that Gundibail first cross road is located at a lower gradient as compared to the main road. The concerned dug up the road in haste, poured loose soil over the drain, and went away over a month back. The city council workers or engineers have not been seen by people of Gundibail ever since. The road is now in such a bad condition, that only one person can carefully walk over this totally damaged road where the risk of landslide and artificial flood lingers in this area. It is said that several people have faced these perils.
Because of unscientific way in which the work is executed here, rainwater has no way to flow free, and artificial floods happened at a few places. Some days back effluents from the drainage connecting pipe had started to spring out, causing waste water to accumulate on this road and giving rise to mosquito menace and terrible stench in the area. This situation is also robbing the people of their sleep. The residents of the area have been seeking response from the city council for the ordeal they are compelled to go through, although none of them have drainage connection.
Because of pot holes and craters that have dotted this road, small children find it impossible to go to schools as walking through the road poses risks. Auto rickshaws refuse to ply to this area and the two-wheelers face lot of danger on this road.
Locals, Padmini, Sujatha, Suresh, Shalini and several others have urged the municipality to immediately raise the drainage to the level of the road, repair the road, and make arrangement for the rainwater to flow freely. Gundibail councillor, Ramesh Poojary, who visited the spot, promised to address the problem within a few days after discussing the issue with officials. One hopes that the officials of the municipality own responsibility for wrongs done, and relieve the people of Gundibail from problems which have been created because of the negligence of municipal officials.