The district administration has said that arrangements have been made to tackle flooding in the city and in Bantwal taluk, which are most prone to it during the monsoon.
The district administration on Monday called a meeting of councillors, and officials from the Fire Services, Home Guards, and Mescom to discuss how to respond to natural disasters. The meeting was chaired by the district in-charge Minister, J. Krishna Palemar.
Deputy Commissioner V. Ponnuraj said that quick response was essential during floods or uprooting of trees.
Commandant of the Home Guards Nidarsh Hegde said that 75 personnel had been posted in the district for a three-month period to assist in relief and rescue operations in the event of floods. “Another 150 to 200 personnel can be deployed, if needed,” he added.
Tahsildar of Mangalore taluk C.N. Manjunath said that private boat-owners here had been asked to make about 120 boats available in case of emergencies. Tahsildar of Bantwal taluk Ravichandra Nayak said that 24 boats had been made available in the taluk. Mr. Ponnuraj directed the officials of the Forest Department and the Fire Services to start procuring electric saws for removing roadside trees that might fall during rains. Funds would be released for the purpose immediately, he said.
Mr. Ponnuraj urged the Public Works Department to make earthmovers available for clearing collapsed structures. All the necessary equipment was available at the taluk level, he added.
During the meeting of corporation officials, following the one on preparing for natural disasters, Mr. Ponnuraj pulled up several officials and contractors for the delay in completing road construction. He wanted to know why the work had not yet begun on the Nanthoor flyover, which is a part of the four-laning of the stretch between Surathkal to B.C. Road. After hearing the views of the officials from IRCON, to whom the contract has been given, he directed them to begin the work in 15 days. The IRCON officials said they would speak to their management.
Mr. Ponnuraj urged the engineers of the corporation to expedite the construction of the Kavoor-Marakada road.
Helplines
Commissioner of the city corporation K.N. Vijayprakash said that three helplines had recently been set up for the convenience of the public. They are: 222036, 2220344 (Interactive Voice Response System) and 155313 (toll free).
Mr. Vijayprakash conceded that newly concreted roads in the city were flooded when it rained due to variation in their levels. MLA N. Yogish Bhat said Falnir Road, near Platinum theatre, and several others, posed a danger to people because they were uneven and wanted such problems to be immediately rectified.
