City flyover sparkles with beautifying art amid swacchata

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Sep 17, 2019: The beautification of the space below Kottara Chowki flyover was flagged off during the Swacchata Abhiyan carried out on September 15, Sunday.

The initiative was flagged off by Swami Jitakamanandaji of Ramakrishna Mission and MLA Dr Y Bharath Shetty.

The pillars of the flyovers were cleaned and painted with beautiful paintings. Nearly 17 big paintings will come up under the guidance of Vikram Shetty of Aditattwa Arts.

These artworks will reflect the local culture and social awareness messages. The ground below the flyover will be levelled and about 35,000 sq feet of area will be covered with interlock tiles where vehicles can be systematically parked. About 100 seats will be erected for pedestrians to sit and relax.

Decorative flower pots will be placed in between. Volunteer Supreeth Alva has prepared a plan for the beautification. Private Bus Owners’ Association President Dilraj Alva has taken the responsibility of guiding the beautification. The entire beautification will be dedicated on October 2.

The cleanliness drive was carried at Kottara Chowki. The ‘shramadan’ was flagged off jointly below the flyover by MLA Bharath Shetty and former Mayor of Mangaluru Shashidhar Hegde.

Speaking, Bharath Shetty said, “Building a beautiful and clean society is the aim. It’s the government’s responsibility to improve basic amenities. But Ramakrishna Mission is doing this task with utmost sincerity and dedication by giving a new meaning to cleanliness”.

“Through these Abhiyans, people are becoming more aware. Informed people should move others too in the task of rebuilding the nation and then only this Abhiyan will be successful.”

The surroundings of the bus shelter near Kottara flyover was cleared of overgrown weeds and dirt. Heaps of garbage lying on the JB Lobo Road was removed and to dissuade public from littering in the spot, flower-pots have been placed.

Team of Swacch Sena from Nitte College of Physiotherapy under Dr Dhanesh Kumar cleaned the portion below Kottara flyover by removing stones, sand and garbage. Students of AJ Institute of Technology cleaned the road leading from Kottara to Kuntikana - it will be a boon when this work is completed.