Mangaluru: The gleam of top bureaucrat of Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) failed to reflect at Shivbhag. Locals staged a demonstration on Wednesday citing snail-like progress in the work of upgrading the road between Kadri Junction and Kamadhenu Gas Agency into a four lane road, apart from concreting it at the cost of Rs 1.42 crore.
As a part of this face-lift to the road, the contractor drilled a portion of road at Shivbagh. However the works were stopped after MCC Commissioner Hephsiba Rani Korlapati ordered a stay saying she wanted to inspect the place.
Disappointed locals shouted slogans against MCC alleging that the MCC commissioner Rani has not been co-operating with the Councilor of the ward, D K Ashok. The Commissioner ordered to stall the work, which was to continue only after she inspected the place.
Gerald Towers, member of Nagarika Hita Vedike speaking to Newskarnataka.com said despite repeated requests and complaints to MLA J R Lobo and district minister Ramanath Rai, work has not picked up. He alleged a few Councilors along with Commissioner were trying to tarnish the image of D K Ashok.
He further said the stalling of work has created inconvenience to the commuters and shop keepers at Shivbhag. Dust pollution was the major worry for hoteliers operating in the place. “The MCC is responsible for all the mess it has unfolded in the place,” he stated.
Besides he said, “the public were not aware of the time frame mandated to the contractor”. “The Commissioner has to explain all the aspects of the tender process and restart the work soon”, he added.
Though, the Commissioner had earlier granted permission to carry out the work, she only ordered a halt to the work. This was said by Corporator of the ward, D K Ashok. He expressed his helplessness in impressing upon the Commissioner to restart the work. He hoped that work would begin after the Commissioner inspects the road.
MCC Commissioner told newskarnataka.com that it was the mistake of the contractor. I had inspected the area on Tuesday and issued a showcause notice to the contractor, she said.