Puttur: An elderly couple in Uppinangady, who had been facing serious difficulties accessing their home for nearly a year due to National Highway four-laning work, have finally received an assurance of relief from NHAI officials.
The couple, Gilbert Anthony Menezes, 78, and his 73-year-old wife, have reportedly been struggling to take her to hospital for medical treatment because the access road leading to their residence was destroyed during the highway expansion work.
Following media reports highlighting their plight, NHAI Mangaluru Division Project Director Abdullah Javed Azmi and a team of engineers visited the site on Monday evening and inspected the problems faced by the couple.
Access road destroyed during highway work
The Menezes couple lives at Gandhi Park in the heart of Uppinangady. Their difficulties began after work connected with the four-laning of the National Highway affected the road leading to their residence.
According to the report, the couple had been virtually confined to their home because vehicles could no longer reach the house through the earlier access route.
The situation became particularly difficult because Gilbert’s wife has health issues and requires frequent hospital visits. With the access road damaged, arranging transportation for her became a major challenge.
The couple reportedly made repeated appeals for assistance over the past year but did not receive a solution. Their situation was subsequently highlighted through media reports, drawing the attention of local authorities and public representatives.
Puttur MLA seeks immediate intervention
Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai took note of the issue following the media reports and reportedly summoned NHAI Mangaluru Division Project Director Abdullah Javed Azmi to his office.
The MLA directed the NHAI official to ensure that the problems faced by the elderly couple were resolved at the earliest.
Following the intervention, Javed Azmi visited Uppinangady along with engineers and inspected the possible measures that could be taken to restore access to the house.
The visit was aimed at identifying the practical obstacles created by the highway expansion and finding a way to provide the couple with a usable road connection.
NHAI promises road and other measures
During the inspection, NHAI officials reportedly assured the couple that steps would be taken to address the difficulties.
According to the report, the authorities said obstacles created by neighbouring properties would be removed with the assistance of the local administration. An electricity pole that is obstructing access to the house will also be shifted.
Officials further assured the couple that a road would be constructed to provide access to their residence.
The measures are expected to help the couple regain vehicle access to their home and make it easier for them to travel for medical requirements.
Nearly a year of difficulties
The issue highlights the difficulties that can arise for residents living along major infrastructure projects. While highway expansion is intended to improve road connectivity, changes to existing access routes can create problems for individual properties if alternative arrangements are not provided promptly.
In the case of the Menezes couple, the absence of a functional road reportedly affected their ability to leave their home by vehicle for an extended period.
The health condition of Gilbert’s wife added urgency to the issue, as regular access to medical facilities was necessary.
The couple’s situation eventually received attention after media reports brought the matter to the notice of public representatives and highway authorities.
Officials inspect site after media reports
The NHAI team inspected the location on Monday evening following the intervention by the Puttur MLA.
Contractor company engineer Raghunath Reddy, Uppinangady Block Congress president U T Tausif and others were also present during the inspection.
The authorities examined the access difficulties and discussed measures including shifting the electricity pole and creating a road to the house.
The involvement of the local administration is also expected to help address any obstacles involving neighbouring properties, according to the assurance given to the family.
Couple thanks media for highlighting plight
Gilbert Anthony Menezes expressed gratitude to the media for bringing their difficulties to public attention.
The couple’s situation had reportedly remained unresolved despite repeated appeals. The subsequent media coverage led to the NHAI project director and engineers visiting the site and assessing the issue.
The assurance from officials has now provided the family with hope that a permanent access route will be restored.
The next step will be the implementation of the measures promised during the inspection, including removal of obstructions, shifting of the electricity pole and construction of an access road.
Conclusion
The Uppinangady couple’s experience underlines the importance of maintaining access to homes while large-scale highway projects are carried out. With NHAI officials now having inspected the site and assured a solution, the family is expected to regain easier access to their residence.
The effectiveness of the intervention will ultimately depend on how quickly the promised road and other measures are implemented.