Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network-Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Jan 27: "District in-charge minister Pramod Madhwaraj is intentionally delaying the final stage of the construction of the long-pending Malpe-Padukere bridge for political gains. The work is delayed even though there are adequate resources to complete it," alleged former MLA Raghupati Bhat in a press meet on Friday January 27.

"The work should be completed within 15 days and opened for public use. If not, the villagers of Padukere will hold a massive protest," warned Bhat.

The bridge has been constructed at a cost of Rs 16.91 crore. The Malpe-Padukere bridge was proposed in 2013 during the B S Yeddyurappa tenure. The government had released Rs 25 crore as a special package to the city municipality council in 2011-12, out of which Rs 6 crore was reserved for the bridge. The detailed project report put the cost at Rs 13.5 crore and Rs 7.5 crore was released in 2012-13.

Foundation stone for the bridge was laid on January 21, 2013. The construction work was supposed to be completed in 24 months by 2015. But even after two years the work is not complete. No work was done for five to six months due to certain issues.

Minister Pramod Madhwaraj had visited Malpe on December 11, 2016 and promised to finish the work within 45 days.

Bhat said, "The minister should put pressure on the contractors to speed up the work. This is a dream project for Malpe-Padukere villagers. During the monsoon, people face difficulties in earning their daily bread. The bridge is the only way which connects them to the mainland."

Further hitting out at minister Madhwaraj, Bhat said, "You need not do politics in public welfare work. The work should be completed within 15 days at any cost."  

Prabhakar Poojary, Rama Kanchan, Raghunath Kotian, Rajendra Pandubettu and villagers were present.