It is a crying shame to every Mangalorean that, international travellers arrive at Bajpe and drive down to Mangalore in total darkness.  Any City with a sense of decency and pride would have taken up the job of street illumination from the airport to the city on top priority. This is the first impression any visitor or tourist to our city will get. But to our misfortune, none are bothered.

Before the international flights commenced, there was such a hue and cry to start these services from every politician, the KCCI, the Corporartors and subsequently everyone was there to take credit when the first International flight Air India Express landed at Bajpe.

Now we have virtually flight to every destination in the Middle East almost daily, but nobody seems concerned about the value and importance of street illumination on these stretches with steep gradients and sharp curves. For those who are new and not used to the local terrain, driving at night on these roads is an invitation to disaster!

So much noise has been made regarding the potential of tourism, both beach tourism and temple tourism, but none seems to realise the importance of infrastructure needed to develop it. The bitter truth behind this tragedy is, the passengers who arrive by these international flights don’t count as far as the vote bank is concerned for any political party!!!

With both the approach roads proposed at Kenjar and at Karambar (via DAKKAN Park) facing lot of hurdles, international travellers arriving at the new terminal will have a nightmarish experience when they drive down to Mangalore City in total darkness almost upto Kavoor Junction!

We hope the authorities realise the importance of lighting this road soon and take necessary action immedietely, to make the drive safe and joyful.

B N R Rao,
Kulur, Mangalore.

Develop ‘Radio Gudde’
Mangalore MLA has said that a project will be implemented soon to improve Valencia Park, Kadri Park and some libraries in Mangalore City. As a citizen of Mangalore City, I would suggest that Radio Gudde at Urwa Stores in Mangalore may also be included under this plan.

Many years ago there was a beautiful park in this Radio Gudde area. This small hill is called Radio Gudde because there was one Radio House which was relaying the programmes of Akashvani in those days and people used to come to this park to listen to the radio programmes and also to spend evening times peacefully exchanging greetings with their friends.

There were concrete seats also for people to sit. Fountain was also there. Now all these scenes have gone. Radio is not there. Seats are in broken condition. Fountain is rusted. The whole area looks like the scenes which are narrated in Oliver Goldsmith’s poem ‘The Deserted Village’.

This deserted park could be developed again, to bring back its glory, because there is no good park north of Lady Hill circle. Radio House which is empty now may be installed with a TV set to relay the Doordarshan programmes. A new fountain could also be installed. A library could be added. This developed park could be rechristened as ‘Doordarshan Gudde’. If this is done, citizens of this area would welcome it and appreciate it.

Sukumar Talapadi
Kottara, Mangalore

(Readers may send their letters to The Editor, Deccan Herald, Yenepoya Chambers, 2nd floor, Balmatta, Mangalore or e-mail to dhmangalore@deccanherald.co.in. )