Kulshekhar: The four-decade-old demand of the residents and people from in and around Kulshekhar-Kannagudda area attached to Mangaluru City which is changing into a Smart City, is finally bearing fruit.

During monsoon, vehicular movement along the road between Meltota and Umikan Ground becomes extremely difficult. Daily, along with bus and car, there are tens of vehicles plying through this road which has not yet been tarred. Since there is a railway track which bypasses beneath the road, the Railway Department, till now had not given its permission to the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) to carry its road work.

Because of this, an alternative road is being created close to the earlier road. MCC will be buying the land for the road passing through its wards number 36 and 51 in the model of lease from the railway department at the cost Rs 1 crore 32 lakh. The development of the new road will be beneficial for the residents of Kannagudda, Umikan Ground, Meltota, Surya Nagar, Nooji, Saripalla, Pulire, Kalai, Prad Saab Colony, Karpimar, Dekkadi and other locations.

The distance between Kulshekhar to Kannagudda is almost 2kms. Since the road here is pothole ridden, during Sundays and school/college holidays, the private bus cut down their trip numbers to this place. In case a vehicle is hired from Kulshekhar, additional fare will have to be paid along with the usual fare. If there is a rain, then the condition of the road is beyond words, say the localities.

Already, development work is being carried on the 800 mts long road from Meltota to Umikan ground at the cost of Rs 85 lakh. Since a few days back, the road is being dug and work is being carried out. The road is expected to be completed by the next month and be opened for use.

Already, a letter has been written addressing the Prime Minister Narendra Modi by an eighth standard student, Yashas Rai along with the public. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has already responded that the letter has been transferred to the state government’s chief secretary.

“The work on the new 800mts long road between Meltota and Umikan Ground, which had not seen tar since many years, has begun. The new road will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 85 lakh. This will be beneficial for the people in the surrounding areas,” said Bhaskar K, MCC Mayor.

“The 2km road between Kulshekhar-Kannagudda is narrow. This road needs to be widened. Also, street lights and basic infrastructure needs to be provided, “said Prakash Babu Suvarna, a local.