Stany Bela
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Jun 15: The city listed under the Smart City project is growing fast. But in every nook and corner, there are places which are ignored by its elected representatives. Hoige Rashi from Jeppinamogaru is one such ward under Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC).

Hoige Rashi is listed as ward no 2 in MCC's list of wards. National highway 66 runs near this area. The sewage of the entire city flows through a huge drain which passes through the area. As many as 50 families reside in the area in the midst of stinking smell. The height of the national highway and some business firms block the flow of the rainwater. Also, a mud road constructed 15 years ago, has added to their woes.

The residents of the area are the victims of a tussle between political parties. The area has been completely neglected from the past 15 years. Residents are up in arms against the authorities, fearing for their health. They are accusing MCC of not being responsive to their problem. They said the unhygienic situation in the area is a threat to their health. A few residents say that the situation is particularly dire for their children.

Fed up with mud road

The road running parallel to the drain was constructed 15 years ago. The residents have been submitting memorandums to the city corporation for the asphalting of the road from many years. But there has been no response from the authorities. It is a nightmarish experience for the residents in the monsoon with the mud being eroded away by the flowing sewage water. Motorists skid and fall due to slippery conditions.

To make things worse, there are no barriers next to the drain which can prevent the erosion of soil. At times, it is even difficult to locate the road. Vehicles could land into the six-metre deep drain, within the blink of an eye. Pedestrians experience breathlessness and nausea while walking through this road.

"Every election, we get assurances from the political leaders. But then there is no progress. If we confront the local corporator, we get the usual response of lack of funds for the asphalting of the road. The MCC blames the corporator of not taking any initiative. The tussle between the ruling and the opposition is making our lives a nightmare," says Ramesh, a resident of Hoige Rashi.

Sewer and drain problems

The six-metre deep drain carries the sewage from the city and its surroundings. During the rainy season, the stinking sewage water, overflows and flows straight into houses. There are no barriers to contain the water in the drain. The sewage is stuck in the drain is stinking quite badly which has given a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other pests. The foul smell has made lives worse for residents.

John, a resident of Hoige Rashi says, "Living here is equal to living in hell. We find it difficult to consume food due to this foul smell. This has led to mosquito problem too. Children are falling sick often. Our friends and relatives do not visit us because of this smell. It is our humble request to the authorities. Please show some humanity and solve our problem."

Highly disappointed by the negligence of the authorities, resident Suresh Shetty says, "MLAs, mayor and other officials have visited this place several times. But all the visits are only for their publicity. They have cheated us with fake assurances. We all pay taxes on time. Then why our area is not allocated enough funds? We have to stop paying taxes and also boycott elections."

I am putting my best effort: Corporator

Surendra, the corporator says that he has heard the complaints from the residents and is putting his maximum efforts to sanction funds for the area. "Being in the opposition party, MCC denies funds to me. While the ruling party's corporators get crores for funds, we get only a few lacs. I received Rs 35 lac this year which was spent for road repair at Jeppinamogaru," he says.

"The discrimination in fund release is common in MCC. Besides this, my ward is not receiving any fund from MP, MLA and MLCs relief funds. No one is interested in this area," he adds.

In the meantime, sewage and road problems continue to haunt the residents. If remedial action is not taken soon, the residents in the area will suffer more.