Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)
Mangaluru, Feb 1: The drainage construction work taken up from Bejai Circle to KSRTC bus stand is going on in a snail’s pace and the construction of footpath is unscientific and is inviting accidents. The construction work started three months ago and are left uncompleted. The work which is half done also lacks planning. Already the delay in work has drawn flak from the public. At the same time, public is too scared to use the new footpath, because it is too dangerous to walk on it.
Months ago, the contractors of MCC started the work of widening the drainage. For this, they dug the footpath that was constructed by both the MCC as well as the owners of nearby building using the interlocks. But after the drainage work, the said contractor did not place the interlocks in a proper manner and the present footpath is constructed like point knott. The footpath in front of Bianca Complex is completely unscientific. People cannot walk on the foot path as it is slippery. The residents, especially the elders and children, cannot control from slipping and if they lose control they will fall and end up on the main road.
The open holes on drainage are also a big threat to life as they do not have any barricades and safety walls. Meanwhile, when a few shopkeepers and residents of Bianca Complex asked the people on the spot as to the completion time of the work, the contractor blamed Officials of MCC and its engineer for the delay.
Speaking to Daijiworld Lohit, a shopkeeper said "Three months back the contractors of MCC started the work of reconstruction of drainage. They dug both sides of the road, which is very crowded. The traffic on the road is also very dense and it makes our life miserable for the pedestrians. The open holes on drainage are inviting danger as they do not have any protection wall or barriers. When we asked with the contractors and officials who visit the spot on some days about the unscientific and half done work, they replied in a threatening voice and suggested us to remain in side our homes only."
"The construction of footpath is toally unscientific. We cannot walk on that footpath because one side of it is steep. The pedestrians cannot get grip of the pointed footpath and chances are high of slipping and ending up on the main road. It is suspected that there is some scam that has taken place in this project as the concerned engineers have completely neglected the safety of people," says a resident who wants to remain anonymous.
According to existing guidelines, the contractors should take all safety measures at the time of construction of the footpaths. At the same time, the engineers should strictly inspect the work of the contractors with regards to its compliance to the given plan. But it seems in the matter of drainage construction, all these guidelines are thrown to air and work is going on without any proper plan. The residents of Bejai have appealed to the MCC to act on time, before the public stages a massive protest in this regard.