Mangaluru: Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) Commissioner Rahul Rathnam Pandey visited the Jayashree Gate area near Bikarnakatte and reviewed various civic issues raised by local residents, including the lack of an underground drainage system and inadequate street lighting.
Residents highlight drainage problems
During the inspection, local resident Stany Bantwal apprised the commissioner of the absence of an underground drainage network in the locality. Residents said the lack of a proper drainage system has resulted in several civic problems and affected development in the area.
The Jayashree Gate locality witnesses considerable movement of people as it has several temples, churches, mosques, educational institutions, commercial establishments, shops and malls. With a large number of residents, students, worshippers, customers and visitors using the area, residents said adequate civic infrastructure is essential.
One of the major concerns highlighted during the visit was the flow of dirty drainage water onto the National Highway. Residents said wastewater sometimes reaches the highway due to the absence of a proper underground drainage system, creating inconvenience for motorists and pedestrians and raising concerns over cleanliness in the locality.
Issues linked to highway and civic infrastructure
Residents also brought to the commissioner’s attention various issues involving the National Highway and civic authorities. They said the problems have contributed to difficulties in carrying out development and maintaining basic infrastructure in the area.
The locality’s busy nature makes drainage and road-related civic infrastructure particularly important. The presence of schools and colleges, along with religious and commercial establishments, results in regular pedestrian and vehicular movement throughout the area.
Residents urged the civic authorities to address the drainage problem and other infrastructure-related concerns in a coordinated manner so that wastewater does not spill onto the highway and public movement is not affected.
Inadequate street lighting raised
In addition to drainage-related concerns, residents highlighted inadequate street lighting in parts of the area. Proper lighting is particularly important in a locality with busy roads, educational institutions, religious places and commercial establishments.
Residents also raised other civic issues during the inspection and sought timely intervention from the corporation.
The inspection provided an opportunity for the commissioner and MCC officials to assess the issues at the ground level and understand the concerns of people living and operating establishments in the locality.
Commissioner directs officials to prepare report
Commissioner Rahul Rathnam Pandey directed the officials concerned to prepare and submit a report on the issues raised by the residents.
He assured the local people that necessary steps would be taken at the earliest to address their concerns. The directions are expected to facilitate further assessment of the drainage, street lighting and other civic infrastructure requirements in the area.
The visit also brought together MCC officials, former elected representatives and local residents, allowing the civic authorities to receive inputs directly from the community.
Officials and residents attend inspection
MCC officials Naresh Shenoy, Puneeth, Manjunath and Shivlingappa, among others, were present during the inspection.
Former mayor P M Castelino, Kiran Castelino, Vincent Rodrigues, Prakash Saldanha, Jeevan, Shameer, Sharief and other local residents also attended the visit.
The residents have now sought follow-up action based on the report to be prepared by the concerned officials. Addressing the drainage and street lighting issues would be significant for a locality that serves as an important residential, religious, educational and commercial zone near Bikarnakatte.
The civic inspection concluded with an assurance from the MCC commissioner that the concerns raised would be examined and necessary measures taken at the earliest.