Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Oct 27: The union government declared Rs 2500 crore in the budget for the development of national highways in the state from the Central Road Fund (CRF). Dakshina Kannada (DK) has received Rs 800 crore, as per the information given by MP Nalin Kumar Kateel.

Nalin spoke at the Disha committee meeting that was held on Thursday. He said, “Rs 310 crore is sanctioned for the 11.2 km long road on Charmadi Ghat. This will be constructed along the Mumbai-Pune highway. Rs 410 crore is sanctioned for development of Periyashanti-Dharmasthala-Ujire highway.

“Under Central Road Fund (CRF), Rs 42 crore is sanctioned. Except Mangaluru South, Rs six crore grant is given for the constituency of each MLA.

“Cross drainage and bridge work is in progress on Charmadi Ghat road. The completion time is 2025. 13 villages will fall under the scheme. With regards to acquisition of land, camps will be held in three to four villages and compensation will be distributed,” he said.

The project director of NHAI said that the principal of KPT objected to the cutting of trees for overbridge construction near KPT. MP Nalin was unhappy and asked to call the principal for the meeting.

Nalin took to task the lecturer who was sent on behalf of the principal of KPT and said that the college lies on government land and there is no right for the principal to protest against cutting the tree. Nalin instructed the DCF to register a case against the principal.

The lecturer of KPT said, “The NHAI did not give any prior intimation to the institution before cutting the tree. In addition, there are valuable trees on the grounds of the college. The KPT is one of the four colleges that are selected for national recognition. The institution was scared of losing its compound wall. The college does not have any objection in giving land for the flyover.”

Nalin Kumar Kateel asked NHAI officials to build the compound wall for KPT.

Project director of NHAI said, “As much as 15.40 km work out of 48.48 km in B C Road-Periyashanti highway is completed. On the other side, out of 15.13 km, 8.75 km of work is completed.”

Deputy commissioner (DC) Mullai Muhilan said, “Though NHAI is confirming about the progress of work, in reality the progress is slow. It is the duty of the NHAI to keep alternative roads in good condition while carrying out the project work. This is not being followed.”

MP Nalin Kumar expressed unhappiness over the non-finalization of land though the tender for Rs 185.48 crore water development project was finalized one year ago. DC Muhilan said that the concerned officer will be responsible for the delay.

Smart City manager Arun Prabha said that there is delay in land transfer in five of the 10 projects of the Smart City. That has caused the delay, he said, adding that for the projects costing Rs 930 crore for Smart City, R 392 crore is released from the centre and Rs 414 crore from state.

MP Nalin Kumar Kateel and mayor Sudhir Shetty questioned the sudden cancellation of tenders of shops at Kadri Park which were developed under the Smart City project. Sudhir Shetty was unhappy and said that the tender was called as per the decision taken by the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC). “This means there is no value for the MCC decision,” he said. The officer replied that the tender was postponed due to technical reasons.

Deputy director of animal husbandry Dr Arun Kumar said, “There are 102 cattle in the Goshala that is built at Ramakunja of Kadaba under one goshala for every district scheme. In Koila of Sullia the goshala has 98 acres of land but there is an encroachment issue. There is a fence to only 12 acres of land. MLA Bagirathi Murulya requested to get the fence constructed.”

MLC Pratap Simha Nayak, CEO of zilla panchayat Dr Anand, DCF Antony Mariyappan and MCC commissioner Anand C L were present.

Nalin said, “Approval is done for one more flyover of three km length between Kulur and Baikampady. There will be six lanes in the proposed flyover. The DPR of the same will be made ready soon.”

Dr Arun Kumar said, “There is demand for 2.51 lac litres of milk in the district of Dakshina Kannada. Most of the dairy farmers are going away from dairy sitting high production cost as the reason. Order has come from the government to run goshalas in the PPP model.”

An officer said, “Various works at the grant of Rs 55 crore are carried out at Balpa in Sullia under the model village of MP. All projects are being implemented under the idea of a model village of MP. Pond development is done at Rs two crore under small irrigation department supervision. However, the obstacle that was faced during its tendering process needs to be resolved.”

When MP Nalin questioned the small irrigation department engineer on the obstacle in tender, he stammered to give an answer. MP Nalin got enraged and asked the engineer whether he knew about the issue and why he had not visited the place. Looking at the media representatives, MP Nalin jokingly said, “The media writes that no work is carried out in the model village project at Balpa. You are saying that Balpa has received the highest grant. This means that you are not giving proper information to the media."