The well-meaning model code of conduct aimed at ensuring free and fair polls may have delayed the cleaning and de-silting rainwater drains in the jurisdiction of Mangalore City Corporation ahead of monsoon.
Usually the corporation undertakes de-silting and cleaned the drains in April-May as a precaution to prevent flooding in rainy season.
Sources in the corporation told The Hindu that there were 33 major rainwater drains and 18 medium sized drains in addition to the minor ones in the jurisdiction of the civic body covering 60 wards. De-silting and cleaning would have commenced by now as the city usually receives the first showers in late May. According to the Election Commission the model code of conduct is in force until May 11, three days beyond the counting day scheduled on May 8.
A senior official in the corporation said that the civic body has decided to take up the de-silting and cleaning with the permission of the Election Commission as otherwise it would be too late to complete the works before monsoon.
Preparing estimate
The official said that the civic body was now preparing an estimate for the de-silting and cleaning of rainwater drains. It would be sent to the Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada Harsh Gupta in a day or two requesting him to seek the approval of the commission for taking up works.
Mr. Gupta at a press conference here on Sunday went on record that he personally felt that model code of conduct should not come in the way of taking up routine works such as cleaning the rainwater drains and filling up potholes on roads. He said that he would he writing to the commission to this effect.
