Birumale Gandhi Mantapa turns into a den of illegal activities

The Gandhi Mantapa at Birumale in Puttur has turned into a den of illegal activities owing to neglect by authorities concerned.

Birumale has a beautiful panoramic view and visitors will get a view of the entire Puttur town from here. To help Nature lovers enjoy the beauty of Nature, retired tahsildar Kochanna Rai and the Birumale Development Committee strove to develop it as a tourist spot.

The Gandhi Mantapa was set up. All efforts were made to attract children through the construction of the park. A public library too was started. A Devaraj Urs Hostel too came up nearby.

Over a period of time, however, the Mantapa has lost its old charm. Programmes were held in the Mantapa in the past. However, now it is in a neglected state and illegal activities take place here. The Mantapa has a huge stage, two separate rooms on both sides of the stage and two separate toilets. However, the windows and doors of the Mantapa have disappeared. The walls of the structure is defaced through writings by miscreants. Even the electricity connections to the Mantapa has been disconnected.

During a visit to the Gandhi Mantapa, one will be greeted by liquor bottles, traces of ganja, and obscene writings on the walls of the Mantapa. The liquor bottles are strewn in the surroundings of the Mantapa. Cigarette butts and packets are found all over the Mantapa. Even the toilets have been converted into a dump yard.