Pics: Abhijith N Kolpe
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Aug 15: Expressing outrage over the death of a youth at Bikarnakatte in an accident, social activists distributed prizes to the winners who shared videos of various civic issues in the city. A prize distribution was held on Monday August 15 at the place where Aatish lost his life trying to evade a pothole near Bikarnakatte.
From the past, social activists have been continuously posting civic issues in Mangaluru on social media to bring attention of the district administration and people’s representatives. On August 5, a 20-year-old engineering student lost his life as he was trying to evade pothole near Bikarnakatte.
There was public outrage over the rising deaths due to potholes and negligence of local administration was clearly visible.
The social activists staged a unique protest by holding a contest of sharing videos pertaining to civic issues in Mangaluru. The videos of drainage problems, roads, and potholes were shared on the social media, and accordingly the winners were declared and prizes were distributed.
The first prize was awarded to GK Bhat who secured Rs 5,000 and the second prize was bagged by Deekshith Attavar who collected Rs 2,500.
Consolation prizes were awarded to Ansaruddin Salmar, Yogesh Nayak and Sanjana Bhat who received cash prizes of Rs 1,000 each.
M G Hegde said, “We are not happy giving the prizes nor the winners are happy taking them but the competition is a part of an outrage over the negligence of local administration which caused the death of Aatish. When the potholes are small, the concerned authorities neglect them which turn into a huge pothole later. The elected representatives need to face the heat over their negligence. We can find many unscientific works such as poles on the footpaths and railing obstructing zebra cross.”
Sunil Bajilakeri said, “The city corporation is blaming the NHAI for the pothole. Whichever road comes under MCC limits does not come under the NHAI. The MCC will be responsible for it. The local representative’s construct concrete roads close to highways and install huge flex. The elected representatives are facing the heat and are blaming the NHAI for the same.”
Prasanna Ravi said, “Friends of Aatish are protesting holding placards but a few elected representatives are silencing them. None of the representatives have visited Aatish’s residence so far. On the eve of Azadi ka Amruth Mahotsav, the MLA is busy travelling in boat and celebrating it. Aatish residence comes under MLA Dr Bharath Shetty’s constituency, while the accident zone comes under MLA Vedavyas Kamath’s constituency. None of them have visited Aatish’s house.
MCC takes up NHAI road works when big guns visit city
Prasanna Ravi alleged that the MCC are blaming the NHAI, but when top politicians visit Mangaluru, the MCC itself takes initiative in repairing the national highways roads in no time.
Prasanna Ravi questions corporators
Prasanna Ravi said, “The mayor had issued a statement urging public to send pothole pictures to a WhatsApp number so that it will be repaired in quick time. What about the corporators? What is their role? The corporators can find the potholes in their wards and bring the attention of the mayor or the concerned authorities.
“We can see the elected representatives celebrating Raksha Bhandan. Even Aatish has a younger sister. Does anyone feel her pain on Raksha Bhandan day?” she questioned.
She further alleged that the friends of Aatish had planned to hold placards during the Independence Day celebration, but a few have silenced them and asked them not to expose them until Amruth Mahotsav celebration gets over.
What if Aatish was killed by a Muslim?
Prasanna Ravi said, “Just because Aatish lost his life while evading a pothole, none of the elected representatives have visited his house. If Aatish was killed by a Muslim, then delegations of elected representatives would have visited his house and announced compensation as election is inching closer.”
The winners said that the money they won for the contest will be used for social cause.
Six months after repair, service road at Bikarnakatte turns pathetic
The service road adjacent to Bikarnakatte flyover was in pathetic condition filled with potholes. Repeated pleas by the locals to repair the road have been falling on deaf ears. On February, a board was planted along with a collection box to collect money to repair the service road adjacent to Bikarnakatte flyover.
On February 28, union minister Nithin Gadkari had an event in Kulshekar. Hence, immediately the local administration turned up to patch up the service road. After six months now, the service roads have turned pathetic and filled with potholes.