It seems like the work on widening of Mahadevapete Road in town is unlikely to be completed before the onset of monsoon.
The demand for widening of the road was heard for the last two years. The work, however, commenced only in the month of April. The officials had promised to complete the work before monsoon, but, a visit to the work site will unveil the fact that the work is moving at a snail’s pace.
Funds for project
Out of the Rs 24 crore released under Nagarothana-III project, Rs 2.5 crore was earmarked for the widening of the road. The local residents have expressed their anguish over delay in completing the work.
The project includes development of road, construction of box culvert, laying of electric poles, laying of new drinking water pipelines. The local residents, however, feel that the box culverts are being laid unscientifically.
“Mahadevapete is situated at an elevated location. The work needs to be taken up in a scientific manner. The box culverts are constructed above the levels of the door of houses and shops. As a result, rainwater is likely to enter the houses and shops,” said the residents.
The shandy market is organised every Friday in Madikeri. The construction debris on the road is posing a hindrance to the sellers and buyers at the shandy.
Width reduced
The City Municipal Council members also said that, at a few places, the widening has been restricted to 35 feet instead of 40 feet.
CMC engineer Ravi Kumar said, “The public should join hands with the CMC in completing the work within time frame. The dumping of soil and sand on the road for house repair work by residents has been hampering the road widening process.”
Published 22 May 2016, 18:19 IST