UDUPI: It’s been three months since the famous Carstreet in Udupi has been closed for vehicular traffic by the Udupi district administration on security grounds of the Udupi Krishna Mutt, despite stiff resistance from the public. Today anyone who catches a glimpse of the security arrangements at the iron gates which close Carstreet at five places, will come to the conclusion that the very purpose for which Carstreet has been closed for vehicular traffic has been defeated.
There are no adequate police personnel to ensure security near the gates. Though a few security men are seen at one or two of the gates, they are not equipped with guns. Even the metal detectors near the gates seem to be just for namesake as they do not have electricity connection. Empty space is left near some of the metal detectors helping people to avoid the metal detectors. Though there are gates near Admar Chatra and Pejawar Mutt, there is neither metal detectors nor security personnel here. As far as the gates at Tenkapete, Sode Mutt and Badagupete Roads, there is enough space for anyone to move avoiding the metal detectors. There is no metal detector near the Udupi sub-police station near Geetha Mandir. Though the equipment can be seen at the entrance of the Krishna Mutt, space is also left for people who prefer to avoid the metal detector! Moreover traders also have a grouse, that they cannot take goods along with them through the metal detectors. Some of the business establishments inside Carstreet have shifted outside after the gates were closed thereby affecting the income of a few Mutts which are now reportedly trying to have the gates at Kanakadasa Road and near Sode Mutt opened. It may be no surprise if these two gates are opened in the days to come.
Reports even indicate that though two police personnel are expected to be on duty on shift basis, there is no arrangement to provide food and water to them, nor do they have any rest room.
As of now, the public strongly feel that the closure of Carstreet for vehicular traffic on security grounds was for mere namesake while in reality the gates were in no way providing the much needed security to the Krishna Mutt.
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