Stany Bela
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SMH)
Mangaluru, May 6: "In summer, we live in a dusty environment and in wet monsoons, we live in a place not less than an island," says Apoline Monteiro, a resident of Padpupadavu, the area situated near Bangra Kuloor. Her words best describe the villagers’ predicament.
The area which comes under Mangaluru City Corporation has no proper road, and the only available path, is filled with mud. People here have been awaiting a sustainable road from many years. A one km long narrow path from the area leads to Shediguri and Urva Store, which is the last on which buses and cars can ply.
After several requests, in February, the city corporation gave green signal to construct a 250-meter concrete road. Sulaiman Asif was the contractor who bagged the tender for Rs 32,949,000, towards its construction.
After hearing the news of the new road, residents of Bangra Kuloor and Padpupadavu thought their long awaited dream was turning into reality. But within a week, the contractor freezed the construction work and moved to another work site. He shifted all his construction equipment and raw materials. When the contractor was questioned by some residents, he told them that he had another urgent work on the other site.
The residents and local corporator tried to know the reason behind sudden stalling of the construction work. However, they did not recieve appropriate answers from MCC officials. Suspecting that the project may have been transferred to the other area, the locals lodged a complaint with the deputy commissioner, who directed the MCC to construct the road as planned.
All the same, no progess in the construction was seen. Therefore, the residents of Padpupadavu and Bangra Kuloor have now planned to organize a protest against the city corporation.
"We walk up the path crammed with mud and sand to reach our village. Only auto rickshaws and two-wheelers can travel on this road. Around 50 to 60 families reside in the surroundings of Padpupadav and Bangra Kuloor. Dust is the main problem during summer season, and rains worsen the condition of roadway, turning it muddy and slippery. It is causing inconvenience to commuters, especialy school children and senior citizens. The inhabitants are forced to stay
inside their homes for a long period of time," says Nishan, a resident of Bangra Kuloor.
"When we fell ill and had to rush to the hospital, no vehicles were ready to come to our area because of mud. We couldn’t even call an ambulance during emergencies and the person in need of medical help was then physically carried up to Bandale road," says a resident who had to undergo a throat surgery sometime back.
"I too was surprised when the contractor shifted the construction equipment to another area. Then I enquired with the MCC officials and administration. They assured that the road will be complete within weeks. Now monsoon is just days away. The deadline for the completion of the work is already over due. I think a hidden agenda is there behind the holding of construction work. Once the monsoon begins, life will become miserable for the residents. So we are planning to go on a strong protest against the officials and administration soon," says local corporator Harish.