Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Oct 12: Social worker Ashraf, has pointed out that several projects executed in Ullal area have failed in their objectives. "The drinking water supply under the ADB scheme has wasted crores of rupees of public funds. 390 houses constructed by Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation under the 'Ashraya' housing scheme has failed. Over Rs 1.2 crore spent on these houses has been wasted. These houses have remained unoccupied, and have become dilapidated with bushes and shrubs occupying spaces available there," he stated.

Ashraf recalled that the beneficiaries had contributed for the housing scheme but none of them got a house and the fund of the municipality disappeared without being of any use. "We have our own doubts about whether the underground drainage project being implemented now in Ullal will function efficiently without causing problems for the people. Therefore, we have insisted that the project should be shifted away from thickly populated areas," he said.

The said Ashraya Colony does not have drainage facility. Therefore, the case had reached the court even before the houses were distributed to beneficiaries, because of the objection that water of the nine ponds will get contaminated. Social worker Kabir Ullal, said that these tiny houses were unfit for human inhabitation. He said he had complained to the Lokayukta about building houses which could not be occupied by humans. "Now the municipality has planned to construct an apartments at the same area afresh. If they again draw up plan to build useless houses, we will go to court again," he stated.

Municipal commissioner, Rayappa, confirmed that the area where the Ashraya colony exists is with the municipality. "The houses built there 20 years back are unusable now. We plan to demolish them, built apartment kind of houses and also provide for a playground for the children. We will conduct meeting under the leadership of the local MLA and submit a proposal to the government," he revealed.