The Path of Wrath? Footpath on Arya Samaj Road has turned Citizens into Wrath

The Path of Wrath? Footpath on Arya Samaj Road has turned Citizens into Wrath

Mangaluru: If someone would ask one question as to “Which city in the world has footpath ONLY on one side of the road”? The answer would definitely be “Mangaluru??” And that’s what we are seeing in the prospective “Smart City” Mangaluru, where footpaths are constructed on only one side of the roads/streets in various parts of the City. And one such stretch of footpath is on the Arya Samaj Road, connecting Balmatta Road to Kadr Road or vice versa. And this recently constructed footpath is already in shambles, with no pedestrians can make use of it. And the result is tax payers money gone down the drain?

It’s a pathetic scene out there, and one should be ashamed that a growing city like Mangaluru has to be in that kind of situation. Seems like it is in a state where nobody is taking responsibility and being held accountable with the result that having decent footpaths is of least importance. While pedestrians have been demanding even and continuous footpaths at least along main roads, nobody in the MCC have addressed the issue. It is sad to note that Major roads have not been cared to make pedestrian-friendly footpaths on the roadside. The prime importance on roads is for pedestrians but sadly in our culture, that is missing.

Many of the streets have been mauled, including Arya Samaj Raod. The gradient of footpaths should facilitate easy and comfortable walking for the elderly and handicapped, but sadly this footpath is totally in a mess, even though it was constructed just few months ago.This shows the utter callousness in taking care of the footpath by MCC and the contractors. And worst part is that -What a stupid idea to construct a new footpath when electric poles are on the way. Do you expect pedestrians to step down and then climb back on the footpath when obstructed by these electric poles.

During the recent work of UGD on Arya Samaj Road, all the interlock bricks that were dug out have been now piled up on the footpath, along with other construction debris, thereby making the entire stretch of the footpath on this road unusable. Even though the new footpath at some points is perfect, people are still seen walking on the road- on opposite side of the new footpath. The reason- the new footpath is not citizen-friendly with safety hazards.

Okay you start walking down from the entrance of Balmatta Rd on to the new Arya Samaj Rd footpath- after a few steps a electric pole comes in your way- you will have to step down- then you step back again on the footpath- few steps ahead garbage/construction materials/red stones are blocking your way- you step down again- then you again step up- few steps ahead electric circuit board sits on your way- you step down- you step up again- like these there are many obstructions on this footpath. Now you are fed up…seems like a nice exercise going up and down. Who would bother to use this footpath which creates lots of inconveniences.

All I can say is that the new footpath constructed on Arya Samaj Road made the contractor and some of the city officials rich, other than that this project is simply a waste of tax payers money. And no one from the MCC nor other concerned departments give a dam about it, since the money spent on this was not theirs?

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