Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)
Mangaluru, Apr 8: Scrap waste is posing a huge challenge to the city, which is turning into a Smart City. In Bunder area, metal scrap is piled on both sides of the road. The vehicles confiscated by police are getting accumulated with dust near police stations.
Though the officials walk through Bibi Alabi road, Market road in the city every day, they are not bothered about the scrap pile ups. They are not even segregating the scrap once in a year.
During monsoon, water gets accumulated inside the discarded tyres and spare parts of vehicles which breeds mosquitoes. The scrap shops and yards are the places where dengue and malaria infections are seen more. A businessman in Car Street says that Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC), which makes announcements on loud speakers and asks the public to take precautions during rainy season against malaria and dengue, is not bothered about the pile of scraps.
Another issue is the old vehicles which are discarded or confiscated that lie in and around police stations and government offices. These vehicles are parked on national highway, Mannagudda and Kadri Shivbagh areas. They are causing accidents also. Plants and pests have grown over the vehicles that are kept in police stations of Barke, Urwa, Kadri, Bunder etc.
A proper yard or terminal is required to park the vehicles that are confiscated by the police. RTO Vernekar says such facility would be really helpful.
Prasad Kandak says, “When green signal was given for Smart City, the first priority was to develop old fishing port area. However, this is completely neglected. The scrap piles are left as such. Certain roads and drainage are developed only for name sake.”
Sandeep Garodi, president, health standing committee of MCC says, “We have been receiving numerous complaints of scrap being piled by road side under Bunder limits. This is causing danger to pedestrians and school going children. In addition, this scrap is generating diseases. These should be removed immediately. Otherwise, MCC will conduct operation and clear the area.”