Mohan Kuthar

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Jun 20: Residents of the 11th ward of Kotekar Panchayat are facing significant troubles as the unfinished drainage pit continues to cause inconvenience. When questioned by the public, the panchayat member responded by threatening the residents of Sai Nagara.

Approximately 20 households in Sai Nagara are currently experiencing difficulties due to the incomplete drainage pit. Both children and elderly individuals are unable to leave their houses without crossing the pit on precarious wooden planks. Last week, an elderly man slipped and fell while attempting to cross the pit using one of these planks.

Harish Rao, the panchayat member of the ward, informed the affected residents that drainage work would commence within the next 10 days. However, the drainage constructed by the area's residents was subsequently demolished using a JCB machine. Since the demolition, the drainage work has been at a standstill for several days, with no alternative arrangements made for the 20 families to cross the pit. They continue to rely on wooden planks while vehicles are left near the main road.

When local residents inquired about the situation at Kotekar Panchayat, they were informed that no tenders had been invited for the work and no grants had been allocated. Councilor Harish Rao threatened the residents when they questioned the urgency of completing the work.

In response, local resident Biju George issued a warning, stating that the residents of Sai Nagara would surround the Kotekar Panchayat if the work was not completed immediately. Amidst this confusion, Harish Rao instructed the contractor to remove the makeshift wooden planks used to cross the drainage pit. Consequently, families are now resorting to chairs, stools, and ladders as alternative means to cross the pit.