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UDUPI: The construction of a new building for the traffic police station in Udupi has not progressed since three months now.

 Located near the old taluk office building, the traffic police station in Udupi is currently functioning from an old building without facilities like drinking water and toilet. There are 35 police staff deputed at this police station including a sub inspector, two assistant sub inspectors, nine head constables and 24 police constables.

 A staff on condition of anonymity told TOI that a leaky roof in the rainy season is a matter of concern. The only toilet behind the station too is a in a pathetic state.

 The traffic police station in Udupi became functional on August 9, 2013. Till then complaints had to be lodged at Udupi town police station and later the cases were handed over to the Traffic Police Station for investigation. This inconvenienced citizens and the state government in its gazette notification stated that cases be registered at Traffic Police Station.

 The foundation stone for the new traffic police station building was laid by then chief minister Jagdish Shettar on October 1, 2012. As per the blueprint, there will be a space for parking of police vehicles and for seized vehicles. The traffic police station will function from the first floor. The second floor will be for the Circle Police Inspector’s office. Sources said scarcity of funds was the reason for the work to stop.

 Sources added that though Rs 1 crore was announced for the project on the occasion of the platinum jubilee celebrations of Udupi CMC, not a single pie has been paid to Nirmithi Kendra though it has spent Rs 65 lakh and submitted its first-part bill. The deadline for completion of this station building is February 2015. However, stoppage of work due to fund crunch has worried the traffic police in Udupi.

 Arun Kumar, project director, Nirmithi Kendra, Udupi, said if the payment is made, flooring and painting of the building can start. "So far we have not been paid a single paisa even though we have spent Rs 65 lakh,’’ he said.