Criminal waste of taxpayers money as roads keep getting laid, relaid in Mangaluru ‘Smart City’

Team Udayavani, Mar 21, 2021, 12:42 PM IST

Mangaluru: The unscientific roadworks, executed as part of the Mangaluru Smart City project is not only causing losses to the exchequer but motorists and the public, in general, are facing inconvenience.

While the civic body should plan ahead while taking up concretisation of roads, it has been observed that at various places in the city the newly-laid roads are being dug for the execution of underground drainage works, laying of gas pipelines etc.

At three areas in the city, recently inaugurated concrete roads are being dug up again.

PVS-Kudmul Ranga Rao Girls Hostel
The concrete road has been dug on this stretch due to the problems caused by the inadequate drainage system. The works are now affecting traffic.

Car Street-Sharavu
It was only a month ago that the concrete road here was built, however, due to the engineer’s negligence, large concrete pieces were thrown into the manhole on the same road. This was not noticed during the course of the roadwork. Soon after the inauguration, sewage water from within the manhole starting flowing out onto the road. The road is being excavated again for repairs.

Jail road-Bejai
The road at Kodialguttu Cross is now being dug up for the fourth time. Overflowing drainage water from the manhole was causing trouble to nearby houses. The City Corporation has failed three times to repair the problem and has excavated again for repairs.

Apart from the SmartCity works, gas pipeline works by the Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) to provide piped gas to houses is also being undertaken. At many places, works have been halted after roads were dug up.

Social activist GK Bhat, speaking to Udayavani said, “the excavation of newly built roads happens due to the inefficiency and criminal negligence of engineers. This only leads to the squandering of public money.”

“I have already discussed about the concrete road drilling works with the officials. The issue will be taken seriously and relevant officials will be summoned, questioned and warned,” said Mayor Premananda Shetty.