Pics by: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD)
Udupi, Jun 26: Issues regarding toll collection and development works were the main topics of discussion at the 16th general body meeting of Udupi zilla panchayat (ZP) held on Tuesday, June 25.
Shashikanth Padubidri, ZP member, raised the issue regarding toll collection for local vehicles at Padubidri toll gate. He urged the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials to not collect toll from local people.
Addressing the house, Naveen, NHAI engineer said, “No toll is collected from the local people residing in and around 5 km of the Sasthan toll gate. We are collecting toll at Padubidri toll gate as the work here is still pending. Once the work is completed, the toll collection from local residents will be stopped. We will issue a pass to the vehicles belonging to the locals which costs Rs 250.”
ZP member Geetanjali Suvarna, urged the NHAI officials to complete the pending work at Kalsanka area of Padubidri. She also highlighted that the incomplete work claimed life of a child. The little girl had drowned here.
Kota Srinivas Poojary, Vidhana Parishad opposition leader said, “Many two-wheeler riders are in danger due to water filled roads.” He urged the NHAI officials to take measures to stop these type of movements.
He further warned NHAI authority, that if any accident happens on national highway due to the unscientific work, case will be filed against the NHAI engineers.
The officials assured that if a complaint is filed with the NHAI about waterlogging on national highway, action will be taken on priority to clear the water. He also said that two teams are dedicated for this work.
Janardhan Thonse, ZP member, highlighted about the measures taken up to tackle flood situation. Sindhu Rupesh, ZP CEO said, “We have instructed the PDOs to conduct a meeting regarding flood tackling measures. The PDOs are supposed to be in the headquarters without fail to assist the people”.
Kota Srinivas Poojary clarified that the BPL card updating is stopped by the government due to the complaints from the consumers.
Udupi zilla panchayat president Dinakar Babu, vice-president Sheela K Shetty, CEO Sindhu Rupesh, Babu Shetty, Shashikanth Padubidri, Uday S Kotian, Udupi MLA Raghupathi Bhat, Kundapur MLA Halady Srinivas Shetty and others were present for the meeting.