‘Boys are Smoking Ganja in our Neighborhood’- Lady tells Mayor during Phone-In

By
Alfie Dsouza, Team Mangalorean.
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‘Boys are Smoking Ganja in our Neighborhood’- Lady tells Mayor during Phone-In

Mangaluru: Late Kate! Even though Mayor Kavitha Sanil was late by ten minutes to take calls from the citizens of Mangaluru about civic issues, she did answer to 28 calls and assured the callers of necessary actions that will be taken to rectify their problems. With an aim to help public and listen to their grievances, MCC Mayor Kavita Sanil and MCC commissioner Mohammed Nazeer had decided to host a live phone-in programme- the first phone-in programme was held on May 23, 2017, between 10 am and 11 am, where nearly 50 citizens called in, and the Mayor assured of action from her and MCC. The second phone-in programme was held today, 27 June 2017 from 12 noon until 1:10 pm, where 28 people called in, excluding 14 missed calls before 12 noon. The third phone-in was 30 August from 11 am-12 noon, where 26 callers phoned in and talked to the Mayor on various civic issues.

Today’s Fourth Phone-In programme started at 11:10 am, and 28 callers spoke to the Mayor on various civic issues. This programme was a medium for people to get in touch with the Mayor, along with MCC Superintendent Srinivasa, MCC Works Committee Chairman-Abdul Rauf and Former Mayor Sashidhar Hegde by her side, and head of other departments of MCC seated in the audience along with media personnel. Most of the civic issues that the callers complained to the Mayor were: dilapidated roads, like overflowing of drainage; youth using govt. property to drink/smoke and involve in other illegal activities; huge pot-holes created due to incessant rains; illegal street vendors occupying footpaths and parking space; open drainage which are filthy and stinky; Mobile canteens hurting legal restaurant business owners, and also occupying lots of parking spaces- and many other civic issues etc etc.

First caller of the programme, Patrick D’souza from Coconut Garden (Tharaitota)-Kadri speaking to Mayor said, “First of all when plastic is banned in the City, why is MCC encouraging residents to dump their garbage in plastic bags. Instead, MCC should keep separate open garbage bins for the segregation of garbage, which would benefit the environment. Also when residents keep their garbage stuffed in plastic bags overnight at their gates, stray dogs/rats tear these garbage bags, and mess all over the area. If everyone cooperates we can make Mangaluru a better place and Swachh place to live”. In response, Mayor said that she will direct MCC Health Officer to look into this issue, and make sure that Pourakarmikas collect garbage from the doorsteps- and will also inform the area corporator Sabitha Misquith to intervene in this regard.

Yet another lady caller residing near Adu Maroli Temple, on Nanthoor-Kankanady Highway road on behalf of other neighbors complaining to Mayor said, “The blue garbage bin kept by MCC has been creating a mess around the area, because stray dogs tilt the bin to the ground and feed on the garbage, and scatter the waste all over the area. Only one bin has been kept for the use of nearly ten residents in the area. Another big problem we are facing is due to the loud noise and illegal parking of vehicles outside a Gym, which is operating from the owner’s house. We don’t mind anyone running a gym if it is permitted by the MCC in a residential area, but our request is to keep their noise low, or have a soundproof cover, so that neighbours are not disturbed, starting from early morning (5-6 am) till around 8:00 pm. Also, young girls passing by this gym on their way to their houses, are always stared at”. In response Mayor said that she will look into whether a Gym is allowed in the residential area, and how a trade licence was issued- the garbage issue will also be taken care.

A lady residing near Mary Hill Helipad-Bondel called and said, “This problem has still not been rectified, in spite of many complaints in the past. Even though the IGP- Western Range house is very close to the helipad, youngsters during late evening hours loiter around the area, and either smoke or drink, and create a nuisance. Empty liquor/beer bottles/cigarette packets are seen everywhere. These activities create inconvenience for walkers who use this helipad vicinity. The authorities should take quick action on this matter”. For which the Mayor said that she will contact the right law enforcement officials and also inform the IGP, and see that the issue is taken care of.

Abdul from Katipalla complained about street lights not working; Walter D’Souza from Jappinamogaru said that the road leading to nearly 25 houses is in bad shape, especially during rainy season it is much worse; Mildred D’Souza from Padivinangady said that during rain the drain water overflows and enters into her house and also her neighbors; Ramesh from Kavoor Junction requested the Mayor to construct a bus-shelter near the junction; Surendra from Kankanady said that Kankanady By-pass road adjacent to Fr Muller Hospital is dilapidated and needs urgent patchwork or restoration; Sumathi also called and said that the area around Hotel Kairali near Kankanady Pumpwell is being used by truck drivers for loo purposes- and also there is no proper footpath in that area; Raghu complained that the flower street vendors near Nanthoor junction are creating safety hazard as vehicles stop to buy flowers resulting in traffic snarls; Vincent Goveas said that when MCC is whining about crores not collected from water bills, how come I have not received the water bill since five months; In response Mayor assured of quick action from MCC in solving their issues.

Hemalatha from Shakthinagar said that right at the entrance from Bikarnakatta towards Shakthinagar, a cement business shop is creating health hazard due to the cement dust being blown into the air, and also cement bags are stored on the walkway-for which the Mayor said that if they break the laws, their trade licence will be cancelled; Ramesh called and said that vehicles parked in front of Global Residency Apts on maidan Cross Road are creating inconvenience, and many times there have been arguments and fights due to this parking problems- and also seems like a commercial business here is turning into a lodging facility -for which Mayor assured of quick action; Nanjudappa from Surathkal who kept on saying that his was a “Request” (he said three times) not a “Complaint” asked the Mayor to repair the road in his area near Surathkal junction; Two callers from Saripalla/Dairy Lane area called and asked the Mayor to repair the bad roads and also provide drainage facility- for which Mayor agreed.

There were among the many civic issues, including some issues pertaining to parking of vehicles, that the citizens of Mangaluru complained to the Mayor during the Phone-In programme, and the Mayor assured everyone that action will be taken as quickly as possible- she even noted down the phone numbers of the callers, to do a follow-up on their complaints. The Mayor directed the officials of the concerned department to act quickly and rectify the problems soon. Although the phone line was opened for the public to report any civic issues to the mayor directly, but Mayor said that citizens can drop in at her office anytime with their civic problems, or also come up with any constructive suggestions so that we could improve our smart city.

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