Moodubelle: Ankudru Vented Dam-Prompt Action by the Zilla Panchayat, but still much to do......


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By Benedict Noronha, Advocate, Udupi
Bellevision Media Network

Moodubelle, 29 May 2011: The multi-purpose vented dam at Ankudru in Belle Village was completed in June 2010 with facilities to pass small vehicles through it from Moodubelle to Padubelle, Pamboor and thereon to  Manasa and  further to Bantakal, Shirva or Shankerapura. Besides providing water for irrigation and drinking purposes, with flat surface on the top of it, the vented dam was also intended for facilitating the approach of the Kabyadi, Dindottu, Kurdai and Pamboor residents to Moodubelle for various purposes.

 

Unfortunately, the vented dam was not put to proper use as the planks to close the vents and to block the water into storage on the upper side of the dam have not yet been procured. The store room meant to keep the planks in safe custody is empty. Moreover, the roads connecting the vented dam were not properly laid which should have been done following the end of the monsoon last year or at least from January 2011.

 

 

Following my visit to the vented dam site while going to my home at Kurdai in February 2011, and seeing the pathetic condition of the roads on both sides of the dam, i though that something has to be done in order to see the successful completion of the project. Hence, on my way back, i halted at the dam site and made an observation of the dam as well as the surrounding regions and also clicked few pictures so as to highlight the condition of the dam and the roads on the sides of the dam.

 

In order to find out the reason for the delay in completing the work of the roads and the vented dam itself, i sent a letter to the Udupi Zilla Panchayath    engineer on February 22, 2011, who in turn passed it to the Small-scale Irrigation Department who asked the  Belle Grama Panchayat to look into the matter.

 

When I contacted the Secretary of the Belle Grama Panchayat on phone in order to find out the response of the Panchayat administration towards the vented dam and the connecting roads, he was evasive and put forward several excuses for not completing the work on the vented dam and said that the responsibility of the project was that of the Udupi Zilla Panchayat . As I could not get any satisfactory reply from any one of the above authorities, I sent another letter pointing out the anomalies regarding the vented dam and the approach roads  to  the Chief Executive Officer of the Udupi Zilla Panchayat  on May 7, 2011 which was received by him on May 9, 2011.

 

Following the receipt of my letter, the Chief Executive Officer acted promptly  and got the work on the roads and culverts done  through the Belle Grama  Panchayat. As it was reported to me, the  work was personally supervised by the member of the Udupi Zilla Panchayat, Mrs. Ida Gibba D’Souza of Belle  representing Shirva Constituency. The road through the Kabyady paddy  fields is done by laying large pipes so as to allow the  flood water to flow  and  prevent breach of the road by rain water. However, road at the river edge is required to be done after the floods recede following  the monsoon with permanent laying of either concrete or strong asphalting so that  the vented dam cum mini bridge could be made use of by small vehicles such as  motor cycles, auto-rickshaws  small cars and tempos.

 

The above developments were personally inspected by me on Sunday, May 22, 2011. Though I could drive my small car across the vented dam, I found that the road through the paddy fields is haphazardly done with thin layer of mud above the cement culvert pipes. There is a fear that with the onset of the monsoon, the thin and lose layer of mud will wash away leaving the road once again in bad shape and condition which will require additional funds to rectify the erosion and make it worthy of use.

 

 

I also noticed that on the southern edge of  the bridge the soil erosion has created a gap between the concrete wall supporting the bridge and the river bank which, if not rectified in time may lead to greater erosion during the coming monsoon which may cause a major damage to  the dam itself.

 

Observing certain boats near the bridge and special approach roads by the side of the vented dam, I suspect that certain vested interests are carrying on sand mining at the site. The sand mining activities in proximity to the vented dam may cause irreparable damage to the dam.  It is necessary that the concerned authorities should take necessary action and prevent the sand mining in the area.

 

Though, the Udupi Zilla Panchayat has taken prompt action in response to my letter, a lot of work is to be done in terms of providing the planks to block the vents and to store water during the lean period; preventing the soil erosion at the southern end of the dam and providing all season durable roads across the vented dam.

 

 

Comments on this Article
Krantiveer, Belle Wed, June-1-2011, 1:52
Mr. John Nottingham do not discourage Advocate Sir. Everybody know that he is staying in Udupi and he is doing some good for Belle-Pamboor people. As per my knowledge year 2010 is the publicity year for Ankudru Dam (Brastaachaar Dam). Year 2011 is the pardafash year. Definately we will see some good result in coming years. One more point Advocate Sir, just 20-30 meters from that dam there is an openwell. Born in March 2008, underground pipeline is done upto Lions Club, but the result is nil. Both are superflop YAARADDO DUDDU ELLAMMANA JAATRE projects. Advocate sir you go ahead. Our society needs fearless journalist like you. Action is the magic word and Pen is mighter than Sword.
HEMPHIL DUBAI, UDUPI Tue, May-31-2011, 5:06
PRAMOD S. MOODUBELLE,PLEASE DONT COMPARE THIS DIRTY POLITICIANS OF BELLE AND BABBARYA KERE MUDDY WATER COZ BABBRYA KERE WATER IS ATLEEST USE FOR TREES,PLANTS AND TAKE BATH FOR ANIMALS BUT THIS PEOPLE DOENT HAVE ANYTHING ....THEY ARE FIT FOR COLECT THE FRUITS BUSKET AN GARLANDS ONLY....JAI HO BHARAT MATHA KI......
Pramod S., Moodubelle Tue, May-31-2011, 10:04
The politics of Moodubelle is dirtier than the Babbarya kere muddy water. These so called politicians only know how to make money and publicize their names on functions and stage. Its a known fact that this Ankudru dam is the initiative of some previous party leaders, but why they do not co-operate and complete the project now just because the credit should not go to the presentleaders of Belle Panchayat ? Be mature guys, when you donot act responsibly soon there will be dharna, public opposition and PIL litigations against the misuse of these Government projects. Its high time Mr.Anna Hazare visits Moodubelle and starts his satyagraha on Ankudru vented dam.
Philip Mudartha, Qatar Mon, May-30-2011, 9:38
Kudos, Advocate Benedict Noronha. The author has given an account of his efforts as a citizen and volunteered the timely investigative and analytical report. The media and public scrutiny has stressed nerves of administrative staff and political organizations represented in the local bodies. Some of them are in reactive mode. Previous week s frenetic activity is a symptom. In addition, private calls have been made, to people based both abroad and within the country, to provide update. So far so good, but let us be proactive. It is not for Hebbar, Jerald, Mr Mrs D Souza, Mrs. Jascintha or ward leader to supervise any Pubic works project. The competent authority is the Chief Engineer and his appointed proxy in the Rural Development Ministry or their appointed proxy for the project. Where are these personnel? Why they are not functioning and held accountable? Why local civic leadership (politicized against law) is usurping their function and powers? This should not be accepted. Least by an advocate of Shri Noronha s stature and the well-informed citizens of Belle.
John Peter Fernandes, Moodubelle/ Nottingham Mon, May-30-2011, 8:38
Never ending!!!!! Mr. Benedict writing letters are waste of time. With this project Top Leaders made lots of money.Totally money making project!!!!
Anner, Moodubelle Mon, May-30-2011, 2:09

@Suraj - your absolutely right. The concern politicians chased govt until they gets the funds in turn their shares. They have not bothered to stress themselves to complete this project thereafter! now it’s our duty to chase / beg them to complete their responsibilities.

Suraj Belle, Moodubelle Mon, May-30-2011, 1:41
Dear Benny, You have done a great job. I am sure if your effective letters does not reach to the concerned department, whatever little developments what we can see today will not be taking place for another few years. I think there is a limit for everything. During the construction we saw regular updates and pictures in Bellevision and every picture we noticed the local politicians supervising the construction but now NO one is ready to take the responsibility to complete the project. May be whatever personal interest involved in this project might have already got it. Don't wonder one day Anna Hazare comes and sits on the Ankuduru vented dam¦
stanly, Belle Sun, May-29-2011, 1:42
This issue came in bellevision so many times thank you belle vision.But these leaders are shameless,Better not stand for election and resign now if you have little shame,
Ronald Sabi, Moodubelle Sun, May-29-2011, 3:47

I am thrilled with this investigative report and analysis. The biggest curse of our public work is unfinished edges. Building road or house or ant structure includes finishing. Common error for decades on road construction is unattended edges. If the edges are not built, how the road is going to survive rainy season? Pictures above show erosion already. It is better to go for few projects with neat finishes rather than several eye wash type of projects indicating numbers.

PMathias, Pamboor/Dubai Sun, May-29-2011, 1:08
Mr Benny thanks for your efforts to follow up with Zilla Panchayat.We have strong leaders in the Belle, elected for Zilla Panchayat. Why they can t put little more effort to complete the project this year. Full Taar Road and proper finish of Dam cum Bridge is very much needed because of the floods and soil errection.Its looks like, will colapse any moment while passing the vehicles.Pls make sure they complete the work with proper finish.
Sequeira, pamboor Sat, May-28-2011, 4:41
Mr Benny Have you seen the road from pamboor school to until dam,If the road is not done what is the use of the dam,It is like a school there children but no Teachers,First ask the leaders make TAAR road then do the road,Few leaders have problem with the comments,Dear leader India is a free country and i have the right to write any comments.
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