‘MCC Officials Changed Storm Water Drain Plan Favouring Private Bldg’- Valencia Residents
Talk about Favouritism! ‘MCC Officials Changed Storm Water Drain Plan Favouring Private Building Owner’- say Valencia Residents during a meeting held to discuss a civic issue that will bother nearly 200 residents of Suvarna Lane-Valencia Vicinity (Near Fr Muller Hospital)
Mangaluru: There is a saying, “Where there is a Will, there is a Way”, but in the case of Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) officials, including a few Corporators, “Where there is money, There is a Way”- and for that matter, the residents of Suvarna Lane in the Valencia vicinity have alleged that there is hand in hand connection between their Ward corporator/a few MCC Officials and a private building owner who has a commercial complex right at the entrance of Suvarna Lane.
During a meeting held at one of the resident’s houses on Suvarna Lane, which was attended by a bunch of area residents, it was revealed that MCC officials including their Ward corporator, Alfred Jacintha that the original storm water drain plan has been changed to favour a private building owner. Recently the storm water drain along with a utility services line has been twisted into “Z” shape, thereby changing the original sketch which should have been a straight line. It was revealed that in the original sketch, the design was a straight one, but now it has been modified into a “Z” shape to please the private building owner, thereby saving him some of his land, and also parking space for his private complex.
One of the residents said that the contractor has changed the whole plan for the drain, and since their Ward corporator is not taking any action, it clearly shows that the corporator is siding the private building owner- a clear sign of corruption. Also speaking during the meeting, resident Ronald D’souza, a retired civil engineer from BSNL said, ” In spite of my repeat pleas and warning to MLA J R Lobo and Corporator Jacintha Alfred about the change in plans done by the contractor, no one took any action. By changing the design of the proposed plan it will change the entire plan of the road and will cause lots of inconveniences and hardships to the nearby residents. This shows there is no doubt at all that corruption is playing a vital role in this ongoing project. We want the higher district authorities to look into this issue before the work is completed and that the work bill should not be paid to the contractor for redesigning the plan”.
Also speaking during the meeting, Gerald Towers, a social activist said, ” As of now the ongoing work shows a clear case of violation and favouritism. Seems like both the area ward corporator and the contractor are in hand in hand with the private building owner, so that by changing the plan the building owner won’t lose a portion of his property and also won’t affect his parking space. Also with this redesign violation, in future in the wake of road widening or any other development work it would surely create more problems. The Mayor and higher MCC officials should immediately get into action, inspect the work and do the needful before the storm water drain work is carried forward and completed”.
In the meantime, it is learnt that Coporator Jacintha Alfred on the basis of complaints of the residents has informed the MCC engineers to look into the matter, and has said that she is not involved in any corruption or played any games or sided with the building owner as alleged by the residents. Sources also reveal that MCC Mayor Kavitha Sanil who was not aware of this incident until now has said that she will take stern action against those who are involved in any form of corruption, and until proper inspections are done the contractor will not be paid if found that he had changed the project plan. “I will direct the concerned engineers from MCC to inspect the spot, and will take further decision/action,” had said the Mayor.
During the meeting, the residents had decided to submit a memorandum/petition signed by all the residents of Suvarna Lane/Valencia Vicinity to the concerned authorities in the nearest future, and that also a press meet may be organized soon. The residents during the meeting also raised few other issues like illegal activities going on in the lane, with youngsters smoking etc; a petty shop at the entrance of the lane creating inconvenience for the pedestrians; traffic congestion at certain spots in the lane due to improper planning; street vendors/mobile canteens at the entrance a menace to the residents; were among many other issues, which would be forwarded to the concerned authorities soon.
The funny part that the residents have to put up with is that- they have to deal with two area corporators who are in charge of Suvarna Lane?Valencia area- until Cheshire Home from Kankanady side, corporator Jacintha Alfred is in charge, while from Cheshire Home and further down towards further down the lane, Corporator Asha D’silva is in charge. So it is like “Torn between two corporators” when the residents have to deal with any civic issues.
Moideenabba (a retd. advocate), Denis Monteiro, Lous Fernandes, Ramesh K, Frank Rodrigues, Sudhakar, Ida Pinto, Jerald D’Souza, Celine D’Souza, Felix R, Viroy Lobo, Vijay Kiran Lobo, Sharath MS, Brandon D’Costa, Husaain Haj, Sumathi Shetty, were among many others of the area who attended the meeting.