Activists of theCommunist Party of India (Marxist) on Monday protested demanding the repair of the 1-km-long Jeppinamogaru – Bajal road, which is in bad shape.
Dinesh Anchan, a CPI(M) member, said there have been a number of assurances from the Mangalore City Corporation in the last two decades but no action has been taken to repair the road. “Only patch work is done during an annual festival of Daivastana every year. But no concrete action has been taken,” he said.
Mr. Anchan said there were records showing that the MCC had sanctioned money for repair of this road. “But we have not seen any change in the state of the road. We do not know where this money has been spent,” he said.
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The activists blocked vehicles on the road at the Jeppinamogaru arch for nearly an hour.
CPI(M) City unit president Sunil Kumar Bajal said the Jeppinamogaru – Bajal road was an important stretch connecting the Mangalore - Kasaragod highway with the Mangalore- Bangalore national highway at Padil. The state of Bajal – Padil road was no different from the Jeppinamogaru – Bajal road. No money has been spent for the repair of the road between Jeppinamogaru and Padil. “This is a poor reflection on the way councillors elected from these wards have worked,” he said.
Jayanti Shetty, a former CPI(M) councillor, said the Jeppinamogaru – Bajal road was a busy stretch and as many as three city buses ply on this route.
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The poor condition of the road had been causing problems not only for motorists but also for pedestrians.
Ms. Shetty said her party wiould relentlessly carry out demonstrations till action was taken till the road is concreted.
Jeppinamogaru Councillor J. Surendra said Rs. 1.3 crore had been sanctioned for concreting on the road between Jeppinamogaru and Bajal.
The money was sanctioned a few weeks before the former BJP MLA N. Yogish Bhat completed his term.
“Due to the election code of conduct (during Assembly elections) and some administrative problems there was delay in commencing the work.”
Mr. Surendra said, 10 days ago tenders had been called for concreting the road. “The MCC Commissioner has promised allocating additional funds, if required.” Mr. Surendra said the work would commence early next year.