Udupi MLA Raghupati Bhat clarifies on Woman’s Viral Video on pathetic road

Udupi MLA Raghupati Bhat clarifies on Woman’s Viral Video on pathetic road

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, August 22, 2022: Komal Jenifer D’Souza from Manipal on Friday sat in her car, and narrated the poor condition of roads in her neighbourhood in a video. She complained about how taxes collected from people are not used to provide basic amenities. ‘’Udupi MLA K Raghupathi Bhat takes the same route to go home, but is unperturbed about the incomplete road work,’’ she said.

Komal D’Souza made a video after seeing a motorist fall on the road due to its bad shape. “Who will pay the bills if someone is injured and admitted to hospital due to bad roads? You (the people’s representatives) need not spend money from your pocket, but utilise our tax money and repair the roads,’’ Komal urged.

Clarifying on the issue after the video had gone viral within minutes of posting it on social media, MLA Raghupati Bhat said that as the work on this road, which began in November last year is incomplete, motorists are bound to face some problems. Bhat said that a sum of Rs 26 crore has been sanctioned for the roadworks and once the gravel stones were laid a single layer of tar had been put on the road to make it motorable for the public. The rainfall lashing the district has damaged the roads and the repair works will be undertaken two days after the rain stops, he added. He said that he fully understands the concerns raised by the Udupi resident. He added that temporary repair works will not last for a long time due to the rains but once the road has been completely laid, residents will not face any issues.

The four-lane road widening work between Ambagilu and Manipal, a stretch of 3.9 km, was halted due to the pandemic over the last two years. Then intermittent rain delayed tarring work.

Assistant executive engineer, PWD, Udupi, Jagadish Bhat, told media that the widening and asphalting work are underway. “Only one layer is laid and the median work is underway. The entire stretch will be completed by the end of December at a cost of Rs 23 crore as per the extended deadline,” he said. The contractors will not be paid until the defective stretches are repaired, he said, adding the next layer up to the railway bridge will be laid soon.