Mangaluru: Nearly two months after a landslide near the Circuit House on the way to Bejai Road, debris from the incident continues to remain uncleared, causing inconvenience and safety risks to pedestrians and motorists alike.
The landslide occurred on July 16 following heavy rainfall, which triggered mud and rocks to slide onto the road and adjoining footpath. While traffic was initially disrupted, partial clearance allowed vehicles to resume movement. However, large portions of debris still cover the pedestrian pathway, forcing people to walk on the road itself.
Pedestrian safety at risk
The situation has raised serious concerns as the stretch between the Circuit House and Bejai is a downslope, where vehicles tend to move at high speed. The right side of the road lacks a footpath, leaving pedestrians with no alternative but to risk walking on the carriageway.
Local residents and daily commuters have criticised the lack of urgency shown by authorities in clearing the rubble. “We are forced to walk amidst speeding traffic every day. It’s a miracle no major accidents have happened so far,” said one commuter.
Barricades add to inconvenience
The affected stretch remains barricaded, further narrowing road space and adding to congestion during peak hours. Residents argue that this half-hearted approach by the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has worsened the problem instead of resolving it.
Shops and establishments along the route have also complained of reduced footfall, as pedestrians avoid the area due to safety concerns.
Allegations of civic negligence
The prolonged delay in clearing the debris is being seen as yet another example of civic negligence. Despite repeated complaints, no concrete steps have been taken to restore the road and footpath to normalcy.
Urban planners and civic activists point out that such delays not only inconvenience the public but also expose the city’s poor preparedness in dealing with monsoon-related disasters. “If debris from a single landslide takes months to clear, one can imagine the state of emergency response during larger calamities,” remarked a local activist.
Call for urgent action
Citizens have urged the MCC to immediately complete debris removal and restore the footpath for safe pedestrian movement. Many are demanding accountability from officials for the prolonged inaction and insist on setting clear deadlines for restoring normalcy on the stretch.
With the monsoon season still active, residents fear that further rainfall could aggravate the situation, leading to more soil erosion and fresh safety hazards.
Unless swift steps are taken, what began as a natural calamity risks turning into a man-made crisis, residents warn.