Since we have no other option except to use NH-17 everyday, we the users are already frightened of the onset of monsoon, which may be sooner than later this year. The media, the KCCI, the Engineers Assn, the Citizens Forums, and all those who use the NH have been writing and protesting about the snail’s pace progress of the work, both of the highway and the flyovers. So, let us gear ourselves mentally to live dangerously on this highway till next year! With the increase in the number of heavy trucks bringing in ore from Bellary, and the oil/gas tankers driving from Nanthoor to Surathkal/ Mukka will be a nightmare for all two/four wheelers.

To make it a little safer for the citizens and reduce the number of accidents and traffic jams in this stretch, the District Administration can take a few very positive steps. We will be grateful, if there is a separate ‘Highway Traffic Control Squad’ to enable the free flow of traffic in this stretch. It may need at least around 25 dedicated traffic cops with a very good SI/DySP to control them. They must be provided with well equipped jeeps (walkie-talkie sets, cell phones accessible to the public and emergency first-aid kits) and at least four to six two wheelers for easy movement in case of a traffic jam.

It will be very helpful, if there is a central control room which could be in Panambur police station, with a helpline number for the public to contact. With not much hopes on any tangible improvement on the precarious condition of our NH-17, it is earnestly requested that without any further delay, the initiative is taken by our Deputy Commissioner to put in place, a very efficient “Highway traffic control squad,” and establish a separate central traffic control room to monitor the traffic and the squad, immediately. If the Deputy Commissioner acts now, it will make a difference to all the commuters on this highway, and the local citizens and users of NH will be ever grateful for such a positive action! It will save valuable man hours wasted in traffic jams and save many innocent lives.

B N R Rao,
Vivek Nagar, Kulur.

Improve M’lore Town Hall

The Town Hall in Mangalore, which was built some 40 years ago is not in good shape. The building requires certain improvements like painting, fixation of pushback seats, removal of dove nests on the ceiling. The fans which are fixed on the sidewalls of the hall are not proving to be much help to the people who are seated in the centre, especially during summer. Therefore the whole Town Hall may be painted again with pleasing colours, to give an attractive look to the building. It may also be centrally airconditioned. A lot of cultural shows and programmes, marriage receptions, public meetings are taking  place in this town hall. To match with the private a/c halls, the town hall must also be improved and steps as suggested above may be undertaken by the authority concerned. The citizens of Mangalore would gladly welcome and congratulate the authorities, and also will be ready to pay the hike in rent without any murmur.

Sukumar Talpady,
Mangalore.

Need trains to Bangalore

Mangaloreans have long been patiently waiting for the promised day trains to Bangalore, but no enlightenment is in sight, let alone the trains. A good number of ‘summer special’ trains are running in various routes during the vacation. Strangely, our nature-blessed line has none. A few day-specials would have been welcome by one and all, as the roads are too bad. Sadly, no one seems to care, and not even a bit of information has been made available. Local activists and organisations need to be active.

IJS Shet,
Bolar.

Check corruption

Foreign agencies lending money to the economic projects in India have started projecting foreign contractors to carryout the work financed by them since corruption has reached unproductive standards in this country.

Every level in administrative agencies in this country is filled with ideas of making raw money as their target which causes obstructive tactics to delay and hamper progress in development. This is visible in all offices of the government and finance agencies including banks. Thus the amount of money invested is disproportionate to the achievements which are far below the arithmetical calculations.

None has thought of eradicating this phenomena practically. There is an alternative suggestion to millions of low level employees involved in the projects for eradication of human poverty which will reduce poverty amongst them and give them initiative to turnout more money for more work, needed for the economic projects to achieve results expected for the fast development of economy from the funds borrowed.

This is the system of incentive wages beyond the stipulated wages paid to an employee for the extra work he turns out without wasting time on corrupt money. Honest workers used to love this when it was introduced in the railways where work used to be heavy. This could be tried even in sophisticated areas like courts where plenty of old cases are pending. Honest money will be liked by all.

K G Shenoy,
Mangalore.

Where is Padil- Bajal overbridge?

It is a tragedy to note that the Padil-Bajal overbridge has not come up despite many assurances made by the politicians. The elderly people and school-going children have to wait for a long time near this railway crossing usually. This is happening for the last 10 years.

Everytime the election comes, the candidates promise to provide an overbridge over here. However, none of the promises have materialised so far. As the next elections are approaching, the people of the locality shall demand for an overbridge from all the candidates and force them to include this in their manifesto to provide a bridge during their term.

J F D’Souza, Attavar.

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