Udupi: Former Udupi City Municipal Council member Ramesh Kanchan has urged civic authorities to expedite the asphalting of the road from the main entrance of Srinivasa Temple in Bailur to the Ammanni Ramanna Shetty Hall, citing the inconvenience faced by residents and motorists due to prolonged delays.
Led by Kanchan, a delegation submitted a memorandum to Udupi City Municipal Council Commissioner Mahantesh Hangaragi, requesting the authorities to complete the road asphalting work at the earliest.
The road falls under Ward 31 of Bailur and is an important route connecting the Srinivasa Temple area towards PPC College.
Drainage problem troubled residents for 13 years
Residents have reportedly been facing difficulties for nearly 13 years because sewage water flowed onto the road due to an undersized underground drainage pipeline.
The problem affected both residents and motorists, making movement along the stretch difficult. To address the issue, the municipal council had earmarked ₹97 lakh for installing a larger underground drainage pipeline and completely asphalting the road.
The drainage work has now been completed on the stretch from Srinivasa Temple to Ammanni Ramanna Shetty Hall, according to the information shared by Kanchan.
Rock formation delayed drainage work
The project faced delays while work was being carried out on the road leading towards PPC College. Workers encountered a rocky formation that made excavation difficult.
As the road passes through a residential area, using explosives to break the rock was not considered feasible. The authorities therefore had to use machinery to cut through it.
The process took additional time, particularly during the monsoon, resulting in delays in completing the drainage work.
Authorities urged to begin asphalting immediately
Kanchan said the municipal commissioner had informed them that the asphalting work would be completed once the asphalt plant became operational.
However, with asphalt plants having already resumed operations, the delegation urged municipal officials not to delay the work further and to take up the asphalting immediately.
The memorandum highlighted that residents and members of the public had endured considerable inconvenience because of the prolonged delay. It called for the remaining work to be completed quickly to ensure smooth traffic movement.
Former representatives and residents attend
Former municipal council member Vijaya Poojary, nominated member Mohammed, Ganesh Nergi, Chandramohan Chitpady, Satish Kumar Manchi, Satish Kodavoor and Mohammed Sheesh were among those present.
Local residents, including Maxim D’Souza, Ananthakrishna Prabhu, Krishnananda Pai, Preethi Salins, Shahnawaz, Christina Bangera, Geetha Ravi, Shobha Bhandary, Yashaswini, Sanjay Acharya and Prajwal, also participated in the representation.
The delegation has urged the municipal council to complete the road asphalting without further delay, bringing relief to residents and commuters who have faced difficulties for several years.