Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (JD)

Udupi, Feb 15: Heated arguments erupted during a meeting discussing the national highway works in Udupi district, involving fishermen leaders and Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Shobha Karandlanje, held at Udupi Inspection Bungalow on Thursday, February 15.

At the commencement of the meeting, Fishermen leader Kishore Suvarna voiced concerns about the delayed construction of the Malpe national highway. He expressed dissatisfaction, noting that despite having BJP representatives at the municipal, MLA, and MP levels, the 3.5 km national highway from Malpe to Udupi has not been completed in decades, despite the BJP being in power at the Centre.

Kishore Suvarna highlighted issues such as insufficient survey work for highway construction, inadequate compensation for landowners, and discrepancies in compensation amounts. He cited an instance where a 900 square meter building in the heart of Malpe received only Rs 61,904 as compensation. He expressed outrage at officials for irresponsibly determining land compensation without proper procedures.

Addressing the upcoming elections, Kishore Suvarna accused officials of staging dramas like cutting down a few trees and then halting the work after the election. He warned that the people of Malpe, especially the fishermen, have been deceived for decades and emphasized that the upcoming election will not be manipulated by politicians. He cautioned that people are ready to revolt against such practices.

Despite an initial agreement to construct a 3.7 km highway from the bypass to the Malpe port, plans are now being made to build the highway from a distance of 200 meters from the port. Kishore Suvarna expressed concerns about goods transport vehicles operating inside the port, potentially causing significant issues unless a proper road is constructed.

Highlighting the negligence, he pointed out that officials, MLAs, and MPs travel from Udupi to Malpe in luxury vehicles and remain oblivious to the pothole problems. Residents and traders who travel on two-wheelers and pedestrians walking on the side of the road face life-threatening situations due to accidents. He urged for immediate attention to these pressing issues.

Concluding the discussion, Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje emphasized that the success of any project depends on the cooperation of local people and called for officers to work with determination. She assured her commitment to completing the Udupi-Malpe highway construction promptly.

The meeting was attended by MLA Yashpal Suvarna, deputy commissioner Dr K Vidyakumari, deputy divisional officer Rashmi, municipal commissioner Rayappa, and National Highways Department officials.