No takers for MCC works, foot paths encroached citizens unhappy

No takers for MCC works, foot paths encroached citizens unhappy

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, July 15, 2014:   In the district-level road safety meeting at the deputy commissioner’s office on July 14,  MCC Joint Commissioner Gokuldas Nayak said 13 drains and footpath works have been sanctioned under the second phase of Rs 100 crore under chief minister’s fund. The work was awarded to Nirmithi Kendra, but it did not take up the work as an initial fund was not released.

 

 

 

 

There is an urgent demand for laying footpaths and drains in the city, the Mangalore City Corporation is however, facing the problem of contractors failing to take up the work.

In this circumsatnace, a decision was taken during last January to withdraw the work order from Nirmithi Kendra and call for fresh tenders. Though the tenders were called, none of the contractors came forward. Now, the tender has been called for the second time, Nayak said.

However, the explanation failed to convince members of civic society who faulted the authorities for not providing foothpath and drainage in Mangalore city and failing to take actions for illegal parking on the footpath area and encroachment of land meant for footpath construction.

Nagarika Hitharakshana Vedike Convener Hanumanth Kamath brought up the fact that Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act makes it mandatory for the building owners to leave the space for parking and drainage in front of the building, the rule is often violated with impunity. There is hardly any space left for the pedestrians to walk. If footpath area is encroached by a hotel at Navbharath Circle, vehicles are parked on the footpath in front of another hotel near Canara College.

In addition, the footpaths are not constructed scientifically, as the height of the road and the footpath is almost the same, making it easy for vehicle drivers to  use the footpath for parking  he alleged. Forum for Justice Convener Dayanath complained against the parking of autorickshaws on footpath. Citing instances from K S Rao Road and City Centre Mall, he said, autos were parking haphazardly on footpath causing inconvenience to public. Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim directed the MCC authorities to make a clear demarcation between footpath and parking area within 15 days.

Auto stands  :  The Deputy Commissioner also directed the Mangalore City Corporation authorities to notify 112 places identified for autorickshaw stands within 10 days.

Mangalore Rickshaw Drivers Coordination Committee President Ashok Kumar Shetty said that though the number of registered autorickshaws in the city is 6,000, the total auto parks is 70, which is insufficient. He demanded to provide additional auto stands at the earliest, to avoid inconvenience caused to the auto drivers.

Balmatta junction :  The recent change in the traffic flow at Balmatta junction-Bendoorwell stretch too figured for  in the meeting. Auto drivers, bus owners and general public alike pitched against the change in the traffic system, and said that previous two-way traffic flow on Balmatta road was convenient.  While demanding restoring the old system, they suggested the police to shift the bus stop point from Balmatta to a little further, so that traffic congestion can be avoided at the junction. Other matters too were raised at the meet.