Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Nov 14: The road expansion work between Ashoknagar and Urwa Store here has been limping even a year after it was started. The agonizingly slow pace of work is trying the patience of the people who are pained by the fact that they have to go through hardships because of the slow pace of work. The entire road till Shediguri has been dug up for underground drainage work, and moving on this road is very difficult.

When the underground drainage work was taken up, the entire road from Ashok Nagar to Shediguri was dug up. After laying the pipe, the mud was heaped on the pipes. When it rains, the entire road stretch turns into a slushy stretch while when there is sunshine, clouds of dust harass two-wheeler riders in particular. Since the last few days, the weather has been dry and dust kicked up by vehicles have been entering roadside shops and houses, says Pandurang Kuckian Kodical, a social worker.

The city corporation has undertaken this work under its 'Amrut' scheme. It has been several months since the work began. As minor bridge work is on, road connectivity has been severed, and the vehicles are compelled to creep through a narrow, alternative road. The people of this area have been suffering every day.

It is said that the work has been delayed as some people are not ready to give up their land for road expansion. Some people have handed over their lands. Locals have expressed opposition to road development. The locals also say that the work is going on at a snail's pace as the firm to which the work is contracted has employed only a few workers here.

Ward corporator Jayalakshmi V Shetty, says that the road expansion work as well as asphalting work will be completed soon and the road will be opened for vehicles shortly.