PWD finally to widen narrow road to court complex

MANGALURU: The narrow road to court complex in the city is a cause of concern for advocates and large number of people. Though the high rise building of the court complex was inaugurated in February 2013, the public works department (PWD) is yet to make provision for approach road as per the specifications of Fire and Emergency department. After nearly an year, the PWD officials have initiated the tender process to construct 12 meter wide approach road to court complex that hoses nearly 30 courts in the city. Clients and advocates complain that they face difficulties in reaching courts on time due to traffic mess on court complex road. It was after a long wait of nearly 10 years, the city has got its own court complex on February 8 last year. The inauguration of the complex was delayed for more than a year due to lack of Fire and Emergency department's clearance and later though inaugurated, people find it difficult to reach the six-storied court complex due to the narrow road on hilly terrain. The construction of the new court complex was commenced in 2005 and nearly Rs.42 crore has been spent for the complex that is suitable to accommodate nearly 30 courts including Principal District and Sessions Court, five Sessions Courts, a Labour Court, a Family Court, four Judicial Magistrate of First Class courts, four Chief Judicial Magistrate courts, four Munsiff courts, Permanent Lok Adalat, and the District Legal Services Authority. "The road to court complex is such a narrow one that driving is difficult if another vehicle comes from opposite direction. The road needs to be developed on par with good standards as large number of clients, advocates and judges depend on it," said Prakash V, a client. When asked, executive Engineer of PWD, Mangalore, AG Dharmaraj said tender process for the construction of a 12 meter wide approach road from two sides of court complex has been launched. "We have plans to develop the existing six meter wide road into 12 meter with the technical expertise from IISC Bangalore. The work of new road, to be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 8 crore, will be commenced soon after the completion of tender process," he added. -TOI