Udupi, 26 July 2010: Hundreds of kaccha houses, some licensed and more unauthorized in Gokul Compound Chitpady, without under ground drainage connections have posed health hazards in the vicinity. Over 100 houses, congested in less than one acre land have been rented out to the working class people by the land lord.
Except a few houses most of the houses release their filth to the open drainage passing behind their shelters. The area has become a mosquito breeding center and the bad smell emanating from the area has become a nuisance for the neighbours. The filth leaking in to the nearby well has even contaminated the drinking water in the area.
Acting on the complaint from the locals Udupi Municipality, through a resolution, declared the area as a Slum. Inspite of the repeated notices from the Udupi Municipality, the compound owner is reluctant to get the under ground drainage connections and provide basic amenities in the compound.
Local Councilor Nithyananda Volakadu alleged, ``When I took some media people to highlight the problem the compound owner hired some drunkards to abuse me. Municipality authorities yielding to compound owner have remained mute spectators. We demand a stern action in the interest of the people and their wellness’’ It is strange that this area in pathetic condition, being located in the heart of the city remained unattended by the Municipality.