The Hindu : Karnataka News : Pavement shrines make way for wider roads

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Wednesday, Feb 06, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Pavement shrines make way for wider roads

Vishwa Kundapura

People’s support made the job easy

Removing shrines needs careful handling
Rs. 3-crore worth road widening work taken up

KOLAR: Even as the road widening work is going on at a brisk pace, the operation by Public Works Department and the City Municipal Council authorities to remove encroached constructions in the city, particularly the pavement shrines, has been welcomed by the people.

A case in point is the area between Vijaya Bank and Mekke Circle. There are six pavement shrines on MB Road. What was once a “nagara kallu” (sculptures of serpent) became temples causing encroachment of roads. The “navagriha” temple near the police quarters is an example.

Removing such encroachments needs careful handling due to the sensitivities involved. The Public Works Department was able to remove many pavement shrines, thanks to the people’s cooperation.

“Hiccups in development work is common. We can convince people and solve the problem.

Anyway, people in Kolar are cooperating in road widening process,” said R. Prakash, executive engineer of PWD.

At present, work estimated at Rs. 3 crore had been taken up, Mr. Prakash added. Subsequent to the efforts by officials, the compound walls and grills of Ganesha temple near KSRTC bus station were razed to the ground and the temple committee had been directed to evict the sanctum sanctorum.

“Road widening is a welcome move. It is the responsibility of citizens to cooperate with the government in providing good amenities. But an alternative site should be granted for the temple,” said Muninarayana, a trader in the area.

“Although eviction and demolition of encroached buildings, irrespective of temples or commercial establishments, is to be lauded, it is regrettable that so much assets are being wasted,” Annapurna, a teacher, said.

“The authorities should take steps to avoid such constructions. When particularly the temples are razed, religious sentiments of the people will be hurt,” she added.

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