Silvester D'Souza

Daijiworld Media Network–Kundapur (EP)

Kundapur, Jun 3: Villagers of Abbimakki area near here expressed their anger against local administration and officials by blocking unauthorized construction of poor quality mini bridge recently.

Villagers alleged that Siddapura gram panchayat has gone ahead in haste with the construction work without preparing an action plan and construction blue print.

“The bridge being constructed is of poor quality. It is necessary to level the land and lay strong foundation before constructing the bridge. The work started straightaway by digging through drill machine and erecting iron rods. The gram panchayat which came to know that the people will protest, changed their stance saying it was not their work but that of irrigation department,” one of the villagers said.

The bridge is a link for more than 26 houses at Abbimakki, Hunsehadi and other areas in Siddapura gram panchayat limits.

People have submitted several requests to people’s representatives and officials requesting for a bridge. People have to travel for work and other needs only through this bridge around here. The gram panchayat demolished the old bridge and started constructing the new bridge.

The protesters demanded that the poor quality construction be removed and quality based bridge be constructed in its place.

Taluk panchayat member S K Vasudeva Pai, Siddapura gram panchayat former member H Sudhakar Shetty Harkebalu, Sudarshan Shetty Beleberu, locals Subbanna Shetty, Raghurama Shetty, Sathish Shetty, Subhash Shetty, Dyvamma, Laxmi and several villagers were present.