Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (NJC)
Mangaluru, May 26: Mangaluru tahsildar Suresh Babu has assured residents of Nellikadu–Duggalachil in Muduperar village that action will be initiated if the alleged encroachment of government land in the area is confirmed during an official inspection.
The assurance came during the tahsildar’s visit to the site on Monday following complaints from local residents over the alleged encroachment of nearly five acres of government land and delay in constructing a much-needed public access road.
Interacting with villagers, the tahsildar said there would be no objection to constructing a road through government land in the Nellikadu–Duggalachil–Kolapila hill region for public benefit. However, he noted that an existing dispute over private land must first be resolved through either mutual understanding among family members or legal proceedings before the road project can proceed.
Residents informed the tahsildar that while the mother and two children of the concerned family had given written consent to allocate land for the road, another family member had objected to the proposal, creating a major hurdle. They further alleged that the individual had encroached upon approximately five acres of government land and developed arecanut and banana plantations.
Locals demanded immediate intervention and urged authorities to clear the alleged encroachment if the road project continues to face obstacles. Responding, tahsildar Suresh Babu said that encroachment of government land would not be tolerated under any circumstances.
“There is no scope for encroachment of government land. If the allegations regarding encroachment in Nellikadu are found to be true after verification, notices will be issued immediately and appropriate action will be taken to remove the encroachment,” he assured.
Residents also highlighted long-standing delays in road connectivity despite repeated appeals to the Paduperar Gram Panchayat, government departments and elected representatives seeking construction of the road.
They said the lack of response has resulted in prolonged hardship for people in the region, with residents currently forced to travel nearly 13 kilometres to access the main road network.
The absence of direct connectivity has particularly affected schoolchildren, senior citizens and residents of Eshwarakatte, Mundabettu, Nellikadu–Duggalachil, Kolapila and Katikambla. Locals pointed out that if the proposed road is extended towards Kattalsar and Bhatrakere via Nellikadu, Kolapila and Katikambla, the distance to the Bajpe–Kateel main road could be reduced to 6–7 kilometres.
Residents stressed that objections raised by a single individual should not deprive hundreds of people of essential road connectivity and urged authorities to expedite a resolution in the larger public interest.