Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jan 19: The traffic system in the city has been thrown out of gear after the court issued a temporary stay against the continuance of smart city works in the heart of the city. Now one comes across steel rods which are protruding by the sides of the roads like sharp weapons ready to pierce those who are a little careless, concrete drains upon which footpaths are yet to be laid, and main roads which abruptly lose connectivity with connecting roads.

The people are now compelled to take a long detour to reach their destinations. Offices of the deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada district police commissioner, and superintendent of police, which are frequented by thousands of people every day, are located in this area.

The high court which took up public interest litigation against the works found that environmental rules have been violated, a proper arrangement to dispose of road waste has not been made before starting the work etc. It issued a temporary stay on all the 33 smart city works which were going on here, The case will be taken up again by the court on January 21. Smart City company has made preparations to provide a satisfactory response to these observations.

Akshay Sridhar, who is in-charge managing director of Smart City company at present, says that efforts are being made to see that people do not face problems on account of the suspended smart city work. He said that road waste disposal is now being made at a separate site at Pachanady. He said an effort to convince the court about these measures would be made on January 21 and hoped that the problems will be solved soon.

Nagarika Hitarakshana Samiti president, Hanumantha Kamath, felt that the court, before making decisions, should have considered the problems people encounter if the works in the heart of the city are stopped all of a sudden.