Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD)

Udupi, Aug 27: MLA Raghupati Bhat has responded to a video posted on the social media demanding responsible answers from him over the bad condition of roads. On Friday August 26, Komal Jennifer D’Souza, a resident of Udupi had taken the MLA to task over the pathetic condition of Perampalli-Manipal road. The video had gone viral within minutes of posting it on social media.

MLA Raghupati Bhat and Komal Jennifer D’Souza

Responding to her complaint, MLA Bhat on Saturday August 27 said, “I am aware about the condition of the road. I want to clarify to the public that the Perampalli-Manipal road work is incomplete as yet. It is still in its initial stages. With an intention of making the road motorable for the public, we had put a single layer of tar on the road. Another two rounds of asphalting is yet to be laid. If this road was not asphalted and had been let open after filling it with gravel stones, there was every possibility of the stones getting out of position and thus creating problems for the commuters. It is a new road and due to the heavy rains, it is damaged. We will repair the same two days after the rain stops. The work on the road began in November last year. Earlier, it was a single road and I got a sum of Rs 26 crore sanctioned for laying the road. I have conducted at least 100 meetings for the development of this road. Tenders for street light also have been completed. During the interim period, we are bound to face such difficulties and people should understand this. Due to the problems in the TDR process, the work was delayed.

“It is unfortunate to face these types of criticism. I have no objection to the lady’s comments. As a citizen, she has raised the issue. My intention is to clear all sorts of confusion and misgivings among the public. Due to heavy rains, no temporary work will survive for a long time. Once there is a permanent solution, there will be no room for such complaints,” he said.