Residents upset over slow pace of work on Arya Samaj Road

Mangaluru: Residents and business establishments on Arya Samaj Road are miffed over the work going on at a snail’s pace at Arya Samaj Road and Bridge Road.
Though the work on Arya Samaj Road was taken up about two years ago, this road which connects Balmatta with Kadri Road, still remains closed. Meanwhile, the situation is the same on Bridge Road that connects Bunts Hostel Road with Balmatta. This road remains closed for nearly a year for concreting.
Ashok Kumar, a resident staying near Arya Samaj Road, told TOI that people have been facing inconvenience due to the inordinate delay in the completion of work at Arya Samaj Road and Bridge Road. Initially, they closed the road two years ago, for the laying interlocking tiles. It was later dug up for the purpose of underground drainage (UGD) works. Now they have closed the road completely, to convert it into a concrete stretch. People are forced to park their vehicles on the road due to this,” he said.
Businessman Sharath Kumar said that both roads which link up to Balmatta, help in reducing traffic congestions on the Jyothi Circle to Balmatta road stretch and also from Jyothi Circle to Bunts Hostel Road. Since, both roads are closed, the area witnesses traffic snarls every day during peak hours, he added.
Mangaluru Smart City Limited managing director Mohammed Nazeer said the work is being expedited and initiatives will be taken to open both roads at the earliest. “Development work on Arya Samaj Road and Bridge Road are complicated, as it is a narrow stretch. We had to close the road to facilitate the work. The concrete work on Bridge Road is completed, but we need 20 more days for curing. Similarly, the work on Arya Samaj Road is also nearing completion,” he added.