The Hindu

• Interlocks could have been laid at such places during summer
• Groups of workers formed to address the issue
• Residents can call 2220344 to register complaints

Mangalore, Jun 23: Potholes have reappeared on the main roads of Mangalore causing inconvenience to commuters.

According to the city-based Nagarika Hitarakshana Samiti, this year too potholes have resurfaced at spots where they usually appear in the rainy season. G. Hanumantha Kamath, president of the samiti, said the Mangalore City Corporation could have avoided them if it had taken steps before June. Spots in front of Dilkush Apartments at Bendoorwell, in front of Sanjeevini building on Falnir Road, near the city hospital on Kadri Road, near Kairali restaurant on Attavar Main Road and at PVS Circle, were prone to potholes every rainy season. They had resurfaced now, Mr. Kamath added.

The corporation could have laid interlocks at those places in summer. Such an experiment was made near Hampankatta Circle last year. As a result, there were no potholes this time.

Mr. Kamath said potholes appearing in spots such as inlets to storm water drains had been blocked. A case in point was the area in front of the TMA Pai International Convention Centre on M.G. Road where inlets to drains had been blocked, he said. When contacted, Ganesh Hosabettu, Mayor, said the corporation would make efforts to identify such spots and take preventive steps before the next rainy season. Naveenchandra K., chairman, standing committee on town planning and improvement, said the corporation had formed a group of six workers headed by a junior engineer to attend to complaints regarding blockage of stormwater drains. “The committee will also attend to complaints of treefall. People can call 2220344 to register their complaints.