Ex-servicemen’s association appeals for support to rebuild collapsed retaining wall

Mangaluru: The DK Zilla Ex-Servicemen's Association has appealed to donors and well-wishers for financial support to reconstruct a retaining wall that collapsed during heavy rain last year, leaving its building at Light House Hill in the city structurally vulnerable.Addressing reporters on Thursday, Gp Capt Sudhir G Amin said the association urgently needed nearly Rs 50 lakh to rebuild the wall before the onset of the monsoon, which will commence soon. He warned that any further delay could put the entire building at risk of collapse.The association, a registered body of ex-servicemen, functions from a building situated on a cliff at Light House Hill. The rear side of the structure overlooks the sports ground of St Aloysius (Deemed to be University). According to the association, the cliff face was reinforced in 2023 with a retaining wall built at a cost of Rs 25 lakh, funded through contributions from its members.The building stands on five cents of land allotted by the district administration. However, one cent of the land on which the retaining wall was constructed continues to belong to the govt. Gp Capt Amin said that on the night of May 28, 2025, heavy rain caused the entire retaining wall, along with part of the cliff face, to collapse onto the sports ground below. The collapse exposed the building's foundation and created a serious threat to the structural stability of the premises.The matter was immediately reported to municipal authorities, following which a notice was issued directing that the building should not be used until further orders.The association later obtained a technical assessment from civil engineers, who recommended construction of a much stronger retaining wall with a more robust design. Preliminary estimates placed the cost at around Rs 46 lakh. However, municipal authorities reportedly assessed the project cost at approximately Rs 86 lakh.Since the expenditure was beyond the association's means, it approached Mangaluru South MLA Vedavyas Kamath seeking assistance to have the wall rebuilt using public funds. Amin said the MLA assured support and issued several directions to the Mangaluru City Corporation to initiate the work. However, the proposal has not moved forward, with officials citing lack of funds and questions over whether the project falls within the scope of public interest.He said that the association has limited financial resources and appealed to supporters of veterans' welfare, concerned citizens and well-wishers to contribute towards the reconstruction. He said the association would ensure full transparency in the use of funds and provide periodic updates to contributors.
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