Udupi Islanders’ plea for bridge falls on deaf ears

Udupi Islanders’ plea for bridge falls on deaf ears

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi ,Feb 17: Bavalikudru situated near Paduneelavara in Neelavara Gram Panchayat is a tiny isle detached from the external world. There is no connecting bridge to the island from Neelavara.

Islanders using boats to reach their homes.The tiny island with an area of 100 acres, houses as many as 30 families belonging to Christian community and has a population of 150 people, of which majority are aged. About 75 acres of land owners have RTC. However, remaining 25 acres come under illegal encroachment that needs to be transformed from ‘Akrama’ to ‘Sakrama’.

“We have electricity and telephone connections. However, when the service gets disconnected, we cannot expect the connections to get repaired so easily,” said Hilary D’Souza, a resident of the island speaking to the media persons.

“We experience death everyday when we see our kids sailing in boats to reach Neelavara.

They should walk 3 kms from the ferry to reach Neelavara,” said Apoline D’Souza, another resident. “We approached MLAs and MPs. Its of no use, all our appeals fell on deaf ears,” she added.

Inhabitants in this area face lot of problems when it comes to health related issues.

Vishal, a resident informed that a blueprint for the bridge has been designed and needs Rs 33 lakhs as construction investment. Vishal informed that the residents have approached Rajya Sabha MP Oscar Fernandes and MLA Raghupathy Bhat. Fernandes has released Rs 10 lakhs and Bhat has assured to give Rs 5 lakhs. “We need additional Rs 18 lakhs and we appeal people’s representatives to offer us the remaining fund,” he added.
DHNS