Daijworld Media Network - Puttur (MS)
Puttur, Jul 16: The inauguration of the second phase of concretized road between Gundya and Kempuhole on Shiradi Ghat was held on Sunday, July 15.
After offering pooja at Kempuhole, Nalin Kumar Kateel, MP, inaugurated the 12.38 km stretch of concrete road at Kempuhole. After the symbolic opening of the road at Kempuhole, a formal function in this regard was held at Gundya.
Speaking on the occasion, H D Revanna, PWD minister said, "Priority will be given for the development of Shiradi, Sampaje, Charmadi and Agumbe ghats that connect the coastal region of Karnataka with Bengaluru. In the next phase, a project for the permanent development of Charmadi Ghat is planned at a cost of Rs 250 crore and the proposal in this regard is already sent.
"Similar to Charmadi Ghat a plan is being drawn to develop Agumbe Ghat. Instructions are given to prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the same once again. In addition, the work of converting stretches between Gundya-B C Road and Hassan-Marnalli into four-lanes will be taken up on priority,” he said.
Special package to 32 taluks
"For me, both Hassan and the coastal Karnataka region are one and the same. I have conducted a meeting with all the MLAs of the coastal region and Hassan. I have also instructed them to provide me with a list of the roads on which the work needs to be done urgently. The responsibility of the coastal region is given to U T Khader. Once this list is ready, I will speak to the chief minister and provide a special package to 32 taluks including the coastal region,” said Revanna.
15 days’ time given to the contractor to clear obstructions
"A period of 15 days has been given to the contractors to remove dangerous trees, electricity poles and wires on the Shiradi Ghat region. On the basis of the list provided by the contractor, instructions are given to arrange for the same immediately. If the contractors do not remove the dangerous objects on the ghat section and if any untoward incident happens, the concerned officers will be taken to task," warned Revanna.
Monthly meeting to assess the progress of work
H D Revanna said, "Rs 27 crore has been granted for the development of various roads in the state. The quality and speed of work of these projects will be monitored. The chief secretary of the state will conduct a fortnightly meeting on the subject and will procure the concerned reports.”
Revanna refuses to felicitate the contractor
When a request was put across to H D Revanna to felicitate Ocean Construction Company, the contractors who have taken up the work of Shiradi Ghat, he refused to honour them and said, "Contractors have done their job. It is not right on my part to felicitate them. I will not felicitate the contractors." After the denial by the PWD minister, Sarfuddin Ali of Ocean Constructions was felicitated by minister U T Khader.
10% reduction in GST for road works
Revanna said that 10% reduction is done in GST for road works. “So far the GST for road works was 12.5%. In order to maintain the quality of work, the central government has shown some relaxation in the GST for the roadwork projects. In future, only 2.5% service tax needs to be paid,” he said.
Mangaluru and Tirupati train
"Train service to Tirupati from Hassan via Bengaluru will start in July month itself. If required, the journey of this train can be started from Mangaluru. It will be beneficial to the people of the coastal region also," suggested H D Revanna to the people's representatives present on the dais of the programme.
In-charge minister for Dakshina Kannada district, U T Khader, MLAs Sanjeev Matandoor, Rajesh Naik Ulipadigutthu, Harish Poonja, Kumaraswamy, Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat president Meenakshi Shantigodu, Bhavani Revanna, former minister Ramanath Rai, DC Sasikanth Senthil and SP Ravikante Gowda were present.