Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Jun 21: Chairman of Coastal Development Authority, Nagaraj Shetty, said that the consultative meeting organized under the leadership of Dakshina Kannada district deputy commissioner (DC), Dr N S Channappa Gowda, has asked the officials concerned to shelve the bypass road plan envisaged in the highway widening work, and instead, build service roads on both sides of the highway.

He was addressing a public meeting organized at Bappanadu Temple, after inspecting the spot along with MLA, Abhay Chandra Jain, DC, and other officials on Monday June 20. Earlier to the meeting, the leaders held detailed discussions about the alternatives to bypass road, which is being stiffly resisted by the locals, at the temple office. They wanted the officials to modify the project in such a way that the sentiments of the people are not hurt. The officials told the leaders that they are prepared to work in the interests of the people.

Nagaraj Shetty said that MP, Nalin Kumar Kateel, who had taken a lead in changing the plan, could not be present for spot inspection as he was tied up in some engagements in Sullia. He said Nalin has promised to wholeheartedly support any decision taken with the concurrence of other people’s representatives.

Officials of National Highways Authority of India, P D A Gavasane and M K Hegde, assistant commissioner, Prabhulinga Kavalikatti, Mangalore RTO, N M Balavali, Mulky town panchayat president, B M Asif, vice-president, Yogish Kotian, and various local leaders were present.

The deputy commissioner thereafter, paid a surprise visit to the government hospital in Mulky and inspected facilities and functioning. He gathered information about the problems they faced at the hospital, from the people. He also visited Bijapur Colony at Karnad Sadashiva Rao Nagar, and held discussions about hygiene and cleanliness of the area and maintenance of public toilet there, in the backdrop of increasing cases of malaria being reported from the region.