Mangaluru: Residents of Shivabagh are demanding urgent repairs to the badly damaged road, which has become a major inconvenience for motorists and pedestrians due to massive potholes, dug-up stretches and overflowing sewage. The road, an important link connecting Pumpwell, Bendoor and Kadri, also provides access to the local ESI hospital.Residents alleged that despite repeated complaints and inspections by elected representatives and Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) officials, no concrete action has been taken for the past four to five months.“The situation here has been like this for so many months now. The MLA, former corporator and MCC officials havejust come for inspection and gone without any proper resolution to the problem,” a local shopkeeper said.Echoing the concerns, a resident said, “We have raised complaints many times to authorities and written letters, yet it’s been more than 4-5 months now and no action has been taken.”The situation has been further aggravated by incomplete footpath construction, with certain stretches standing nearly a foot higher than the road, posing a risk to pedestrians. Incomplete underground drainage (UGD) work has also resulted in sewage flowing onto the road, raising concerns over public health and hygiene.During his visit to the area on Thursday, MLC Ivan D’Souza highlighted the importance of Shivabagh main road, stating that it connects Canara Club to the national highway and serves as a key stretch up to Karnataka Bank. He said the road was not in poor condition throughout and maintained that the present administration could not be held responsible for the unfinished works, despite the Congress being in power in the state.Meanwhile, former corporator Manohar Shetty attributed the delay to stalled govt funding. He said major UGD and footpath drain works had been undertaken in the area. “The govt has held up the Rs 100-crore project under Mahatma Gandhi Nagara Vikas Yojane Phase 1 (MGNVY-1), which was sanctioned by former chief minister BS Yediyurappa in 2019,” he said.“Under Mahatma Gandhi Nagara Vikas Yojane Phase 2 (MGNVY-2), 50% of the work hasn’t been completed despite the tender being sanctioned in 2024,” Shetty added.
