Udupi: A heartbreaking incident in Gopadi village, Kundapur taluk, Udupi district has exposed the vulnerability of families dealing with elderly parents and dependent children suffering from mental health issues.

On Thursday night, neighbours discovered a foul stench emanating from a house in Gopadi village. Concerned about the well-being of the residents, they attempted to contact Jayanthi Shetty, a 62-year-old woman living alone there with her 32-year-old daughter, Pragathi Shetty. However, the calls went unanswered, and they informed the police.

When the police arrived and forced open the door, they made a grim discovery.

Jayanthi Shetty had passed away three days earlier and was lying lifeless in her home.

Beside her, Pragathi Shetty, who suffers from mental illness, was found unconscious. She had spent those three days lying next to her deceased mother.

Jayanthi Shetty battled diabetes and blood pressure issues, while her daughter Pragathi also struggled with diabetes.

Pragathi’s condition had deteriorated to the point where one of her legs had been amputated months ago. The lack of proper care and support likely exacerbated her mental health condition.

Pragathi Shetty was given water to drink and immediately rushed to the hospital. Despite efforts to save her, she tragically passed away on Saturday.

A case has been registered at Kundapur police station.

Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding Jayanthi Shetty’s death and Pragathi’s suffering.

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Bengaluru: The Adani Group has become the lowest bidder for both packages of the proposed 16.75-km tunnel road project in Bengaluru, according to sources familiar with the bids opened by Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Ltd (B-SMILE).

According to a report published by Deccan Herald on Monday, the government estimated the entire project to cost Rs 17,698 crore, while the Adani Group has quoted Rs 22,267 crore. The ports-to-power conglomerate’s bid is about 24% higher for the first package and 28% higher for the second than the government’s estimates, a gap that could prompt authorities to seek the state Cabinet’s approval on the tenders’ fate.

M Maheshwar Rao, Chief Commissioner of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), who is also the Managing Director of B-SMILE, declined to comment.

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In all, four infrastructure companies had participated in the tenders for the project, which has been proposed under the build-operate-transfer (BOT) model, with 40% funding from the government and the remaining investment to be raised by the private concessionaire.

During the technical evaluation, the Adani Group and the Hyderabad-based Vishwa Samudra Engineering Ltd qualified for the financial round.

According to the report, Dilip Buildcon was disqualified due to a clause that bars firms linked to collapsed bridges or tunnels, while Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) was rejected because its joint venture (JV) partner did not meet technical requirements.

With only two companies left in the fray, the Adani Group emerged as the lowest bidder, ahead of Vishwa Samudra.

The tunnel project officially named the North–South underground corridor, is part of the Congress government’s ambitious to ease Bengaluru’s traffic congestion by building two major underground roads (totalling 40 km) along with 13 flyovers and elevated corridors.

The project is the brainchild of Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, who is also the Bengaluru development minister.

The proposal, however, has faced criticism and political opposition, especially from senior BJP leaders, who object to the alignment that requires acquiring six acres of Lalbagh Botanical Garden, a historic green space.

As per the report, Urban mobility experts have also warned that the tunnel corridor may clash with the alignment of Namma Metro’s Phase 3A, possibly affecting the metro expansion.