Abhijith N Kolpe
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru May 28: The residents of GSB Colony on Monday May 28 planted banana saplings in the stretch connecting Pinto's lane as a protest against poor condition of the road.
Drainage work was undertaken in the stretch three months ago. The work got abruptly stopped with huge potholes left in between the road and the entire road is filled with the thick blanket of mud. Irked with the incomplete and pathetic condition of the road, the residents decided to plant banana saplings on the road.
One of the residents, Cecilia Pinto, said, "The drainage work commenced on March 6. It has been three months since then and still the work is incomplete. Most of the people here are elderly. Due to the pathetic condition of the road, it is hard for us to take them to doctor as drivers refuse to come to this area. We are forced to walk up to main road,”
She further said, “There is no alternative route to reach our residence other than this pathetic road. During election time these politicians make promises but never fulfil them. Since the schools are re-opening, children too are relying on this route. Four-wheelers and two-wheelers get struck in the middle of the road.”
"My husband was ill and while he was being taken in an ambulance, it got stuck in the middle of the road and could not move further because of the poor road condition. We had to take him out with the help of stretcher. I have to take him to hospital for dressing and vehicles too refuse to come in this route. During rainy season, the condition of the road gets even worse and it is impossible to walk,” she said.
“Since the prices of fruits have increased it is better to plant banana saplings and make it greener,” she said in a sarcastic way.
Another resident Caroline D Souza said, "Vehicles get struck in between the road. Even after repeated complaints there has been no action by the concerned authorities. My mother is admitted at the hospital and she will get discharged within three days and I am worried how to get back home. When my car got struck neighbours helped me and with no others options left, I parked my car near the main road. But it creates more problems, since there is no space for parking. We are taxpaying citizens of Mangaluru staying here for generations and we need good roads,"
Another resident Lawrence Pinto said, "If they don’t take up the work then we will go ahead with planting saplings and make it greener. The Corporator had told that the road will be concertized soon after the election but there is no action so far. The commuters have been the victims and several two-wheeler riders got injured here on this road. There are no sign boards before entering the road, following which vehicles come half way and forced to return.”
“We have even submitted a letter to MCC commissioner demanding improvement in this road as on April 13, with a copy to Deputy Commissioner, former MLA J R Lobo, Corporator Ashok, but there has been no response so far,” he added.