Mangaluru Church Parishioners File Formal Complaint Over Highway Widening Safety Hazards
Parishioners of St Joseph the Worker's Church in Vamanjoor, Mangaluru, have submitted a formal complaint to the project manager of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) regarding recent highway widening work that has created significant public inconvenience and safety concerns.
Absence of Safe Pedestrian Crossing Creates Daily Hazard
In a representation signed by all parishioners, the community alleges that highway widening work in front of the church was completed without providing a pedestrian crossing or opening in the road divider near the church entrance. This occurred despite an earlier written request from the parish priest to concerned authorities.
The absence of a safe crossing has forced pedestrians to cross the widened highway under dangerous conditions on a daily basis, creating what parishioners describe as an unacceptable safety risk for the community.
Parish Council Details Community Impact and Broken Promises
Anil Pinto, vice-president of the parish council, revealed that the church serves approximately 1,000 families with about 3,200 members. "We requested a median opening, but it was ignored," Pinto stated. "As a result, parishioners have to drive till Vamanjoor junction to take U-turns to reach the church."
Pinto detailed how the community recently collected signatures from parishioners and submitted them to NHAI officials, who initially assured that a pedestrian bridge would be planned instead of a median opening. "They assured us they would visit the spot to take the next action. However, they never visited, though they changed the visit dates more than four times to date," he explained.
Widespread Community Impact and Additional Concerns
The affected stretch is used by an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 people daily, including parishioners, students, staff, and the general public. The area contains multiple institutions that contribute to frequent pedestrian movement:
- St Joseph the Worker's Church
- Multiple convents
- An engineering college
- Church- and convent-run schools
This concentration of institutions results in regular movement of children, elderly persons, and other vulnerable pedestrians across the highway.
Broader Infrastructure Issues Identified
Pinto also raised concerns about delays in the ongoing highway work, alleging that proper drainage facilities were not created and that there was insufficient coordination with the Mangaluru City Corporation regarding the shifting of water supply pipelines.
Formal Demands for Immediate Action
The parishioners have urgently requested that NHAI:
- Conduct an immediate site inspection
- Implement a safety-focused solution
- Provide either a suitable median opening, pedestrian overbridge/foot overbridge, or another safe pedestrian crossing facility
- Issue a written reply detailing action taken or proposed
The community emphasizes that the current situation poses unacceptable risks and requires prompt attention from highway authorities to prevent potential accidents and ensure public safety.
