Mangaluru, July 2: The delayed Padil-Bajal railway under-bridge works has caused great inconvenience to locals, and now with the stagnant water collected beneath the under-bridge has provided a breeding hub for mosquitoes, posing health threat to the local residents.
During the spot inspection, Minister DV Sadananda Gowda had assured that the work would be over by the end of June, but still the work has remained incomplete.
But now as it is monsoon season, the rain water has collected beneath the under-bridge which appears like a miniature swimming pool may pose serious health problems as mosquitoes are likely to breed in stagnant waters.
Adjacent to the Padil-Bajal underbridge, locals have erected a banner stating it a ‘Mosquito Breeding Center and Swimming Pool’.
Speaking to the media, a local resident said, many people, including children, pass by this way. The delayed work has affected connectivity to the main road. The stagnant water collected underneath the bridge may pose health threats as there are chances that mosquitoes breed in such stagnant water
A retired government employee too complained about the inconvenience faced by the people who commute by this road and added that it is a great problem if one has to reach the hospital in case of emergency.
A few auto drivers also complained that sometimes private buses cancel their trips and due to this the school children and the elderly citizens have to suffer inconveniences.
Speaking to the media, Anand Prakash, Palakkad division DRM blamed Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) for the delay in the work. The MCC did not submit the modified designs for the connecting road although they were frequently contacted. Pumping out the stagnant water and to maintain hygiene is the responsibility of the MCC and the contractors are unable to continue the work until the utilities are cleared from either side by the MCC, he said.
