Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)

Mangaluru, Mar 29: The action committee of Kankanady Valencia ward residents who had protested over the issue of road widening in their ward demanded that the project should be scrapped keeping in mind the welfare of the residents.

Addressing a press meet here on Wednesday March 29, action committee member Antony Maxim said, "The existing road near Red Building lane has no connecting roads.

Around 150 families reside in this lane. This lane does not house any school, hospital, government offices or religious centres. A proposal for drainage facility in the lane was submitted by its residents in 2014. It was conveyed to them that the proposal was approved in a council and standing committee meeting in 2016. The town planning officials from the corporation visited for survey and there was no development on the issue then."

"Later, when a resident of the locality applied for the permission to build a new house, he was informed that as the road would be widened to 30 feet, he would not be granted the permission as per plan," he added.

He further said, "Some residents sought information on the road widening proposal through Right To Information (RTI) on October 10, 2016. They received a reply on November 29, 2016, which said that the residents themselves had demanded for road widening in 2014 through a petition. Upon verification, they learnt that the petition  submitted for the drainage was doctored and the same was turned into a petition demanding road widening. The residents are blaming that the corporator of the ward is involved in the fraud."

"On March 20 last week, we the residents organised a protest at MCC premises. As assured, Mayor Kavita Sanil visited and inspected the ward the very next day. On her  visit she found that if the road widens, 95 per cent of residents will land in trouble. She also assured us that the issue will be discussed in the upcoming council  meeting. The proposal was backed by the corporator also." he explained.

"But last week suddenly, the corporator changed her mind and told through media that she will go ahead on road widening. Also, she questioned the Red Building lane residents for their objection, while all other residents of the ward favoured the project. We are waiting for the council meeting which will take place tomorrow. Our  representatives are attending this meeting. All our hopes are on the Mayor. We believe she will give us justice. If not, we will continue our fight," he added.

Answering media persons query, committee member Meera Louis said, "The corporator has not called a single meeting of residents on the road widening project. She is not even answering residents' phone calls on seeking clarifications. We do not know why she is behaving like this."

Speaking to Daijiworld.com, a resident said, "There are a lot of areas in the ward which require better roads and other basic facilities. The corporator should give attention to those areas. If residents do not require a road, then why she is too adamant on that project?" he questioned.

Action committee president P Vishwanath K, Suveer Isaac, Ullas Rasquinha and Nirmala Isaac were present.