Mangaluru
A protest was held by CPM members at the Jeppu Mahakalipadpu railway gate due to slow progress on the Railway Under Bridge (RUB) construction. It was alleged that the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) did not make alternative arrangements for road users when the road was closed for the work. Significant inconvenience has been caused to commuters relying on Mahakalipadpu road, increasing traffic on city roads.
The delay was criticized by Sunil Kumar Bajal, a CPM Dakshina Kannada secretariat member, who blamed City South MLA D. Vedavyasa Kamath and the BJP-ruled MCC for the issues. A warning was given that a black flag protest will be held if the work is not accelerated.
Concerns were raised about the quality of the RUB work. It was noted that part of a concrete box under construction for a twin railway underbridge caved in last year. Despite having skilled engineers, the railway department has not completed the work.
Santhosh Bajal, CPM Mangaluru South Secretary, suggested that MLA Vedavyasa Kamath, MP Capt Brijesh Chowta, and Mayor Sudheer Shetty Kannur inspect the RUBs and ROBs by traveling from Mangaluru to Kannur. Criticism was directed at the authorities for not constructing an RUB for the first unmanned railway gate after Mangaluru Central railway station, despite available funds under the Smart City project.
