Pics: Abhijith N Kolpe

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru Jan 25: Congress South block and Mangaluru constituency will take out padayatra from Talapady to Pumpwell on January 28, against the incompletion of Thokottu and Pumpwell flyover, informed former MLA J R Lobo.

Addressing media here on Friday, January 25, J R Lobo said, "It is 10 years since the construction of Pumpwell flyover started and it is still not completed. Even the development of KPT and Nanthoor has been sidelined. The development work of tunnel in Shiradi Ghat which was proposed by then minister Oscar Fernandes, was sidelined soon after Modi government came to power. We all know the pathetic condition of National Highway from Mangaluru to Bengaluru and the work has been stalled.”

“Usually for development of roads or any work, you need 4-5 years but even after 10 years the Pumpwell flyover work seems stagnant,” he lashed out.

“Recently, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel has called a meeting with engineers and consultants in the presence of police officers. During the meet, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel was seen threatening the officials and warned them of arrest if work is not completed. I have never come across such an instance where a meeting is called and an open threat is given to officials in the presence of police. This shows the failure of MP Nalin Kumar Kateel,” said J R Lobo.

“MP Nalin Kumar Kateel had set December as the deadline and then it was continuously extending. Pumpwell is the place where it floods during the rainy season. Presently the work has been stopped and there is no drainage facility. We need to be alert for the consequences in the rainy season,” he added.

He further said the padayatra will be conducted in the presence of district-in-charge minister U T Khader, former minister Ramanath Rai and district Congress president Harish Kumar. Padayatra will start from Talapady and conclude with a public meet at Pumpwell.

Congress spokesperson A C Vinayaraj, mayor Bhaskar Moily and others were present.