from our special correspondent (MB)
Pics Sphoorti Ullal

Mangalore, Feb 26: The stretch of road between Dr B R Ambedkar Circle near Jyoti cinema towards Hampankatta in the heart of the city is out of bounds for vehicular traffic for some time now. Conversion into a dual carriageway and concreting work is under way as part of upgradation from Hampankatta signal circle to the Pumpwell circle.

Although the traffic has been blocked from all sides, it being the arterial way connecting Hampankatta from Balmatta side, and without transport available, hundreds of citizens are using the road under conversion to go to workplaces and for shopping.

The said stretch has been dug and is being reinforced and levelled. In the process the underground electrical cables leading to the erstwhile street-lights and existing commercial establishments appear to have come off. When our correspondents visited the area on Monday morning, there were several hazardous spots all over. Open drains, cut or damaged cables, newly-laid open manholes etc. were a familiar sight all through the stretch.

What drew the special attention of our correspondents was that some of the loose ends of cables were covered with red-coloured plastic pieces. On enquiry, our team was told that the red colour naturally meant danger and they were live mains supply cables.

Blissfully unaware of it, people were walking by the sidewalks. It appeared to be a clear blueprint for disaster, if anyone walked close to the loose ends. About 100 workers engaged in work there also could be prone to danger. Besides, a large number of telephone connnections also are said to have gone haywire.

One of our public-spirited correspondents contacted the MESCOM office, and he was told that in most cases the cables connecting supply to important establishments were reorganized, whereas cables connecting power to some smaller outfits there could be loose ends. In any case, he said, they would attend to matter at once.