Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Mar 1: Issue of illegal auto rickshaw stands dominated the proceedings of the City Municipality Council (CMC) meeting held at Satyamurthy meeting hall here on Wednesday, February 28.
Raising the issue of illegal auto rickshaw stands, councilors argued that even street vendors have started to occupy CMC land to sell vegetables on street illegally. “Auto rickshaw stands are mushrooming throughout the city which has caused traffic problems. Many of them do not have license from the municipality,” they said.
A heated interaction took place between councilors on the issue, after which they suggested to examine illegal auto stands before reporting the issue to the RTO and take an immediate decision to evict the illegal stands.
The councilors said that the municipality health inspector has earlier warned street vendors many times to vacate the place, but got beaten by the street vendors during inspection.
CMC Commissioner D Manjunathaiah directed to list out the places and advised officials to go with police protection.
Manjunathaiah said, “I will talk to the Regional Transport Office to take action against illegal auto stands.”
Regarding water management, environment engineer Raghavendra said, “The water level was 4.75 meters last year, now the level is 5.22 meters and 0.5 meters of water is available at Shiroor river. If sand bags are removed, water is enough for 95 days. The municipality has decided to divide the city into three zones, to supply water from next week.
Vasanthi Shetty, member of Ambalpady ward said, “Renowned poet Muddana lived in Udupi and served in many schools of the city. It will be good if the open theatre in Bhujanga Park is renamed on him in his remembrance.
Raising the issue of stray dogs, a councilor said, “The problem of stray dogs is increasing in school zones. Necessary steps should be taken to control the menace of stray dogs.”
Yuvaraj Puttur said, “When I was the president of council, a proposal had been sent to government to keep name Diana circle as Ambedkar circle. The approval process is getting delayed.
The commissioner said, “An NGO from Bengaluru has come forward to set up sheds for stray dogs and they will take care of them. By March end this year, the shed will be ready. The NGO have their own volunteers and veterinary doctors.”
The council members demanded to facilitate underground drainage to various residential areas.
Shashidhar Hegde, junior engineer said, “Only Rs 32 crore is available for drainage works. An estimation is should be planned. There is no finance available for executing new projects.”
CMC president, Meenakshi Madhav Bannanje and vice-president Sandhya Thilakraj were present.