Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal
Bantwal, Feb 18: Public Works Department Minister Satish Jarkiholi visited the ongoing repairs work at the Polali-Addooru bridge on Tuesday to assess the progress and gather information from the department engineers.
Bantwal MLA Rajesh U Naik was present during the inspection. He requested the minister to expedite the completion of the bridge work in view of the upcoming annual Shatachandika Yaga and the Polali temple festival, which will take place next month.
The MLA emphasised that the work should be completed within a month to facilitate the smooth arrival of devotees to the area.
In response, Minister Jarkiholi directed the officials to take necessary steps to speed up the work. Engineers highlighted that to increase the bridge’s capacity, the bridge will be raised using machinery, and bearings will be installed beneath it. They noted that this process will take about 10 to 15 days to complete.
With the festival approaching, the minister instructed that all vehicle traffic be halted immediately on the bridge for the bearing installation work, which should be completed first. Afterward, light vehicle traffic should be allowed, and all work must be completed before the festival begins.
In the KDP meeting held on Monday, MLA Rajesh Naik had raised the issue with the district in-charge minister, urging for an inspection of the Polali-Addooru bridge's progress by the Public Works Minister during his district visit.
During the minister's visit, former minister Ramanath Rai, former president of Kariyangala Grama Panchayat Chandrahasa Pallipadi, former member of the Taluk Panchayat Venkatesh N, Congress leader Rakshit Shivaram, chief engineers B V Gokul Das, executive engineer Amarnath Jain, AEE’s Jaiprakash, Preetam, Arun Prakash, Dilip Das Prakash, and Hemant were also present.
Later, minister Jarkiholi visited the traffic counting centre managed by the Public Works Department in Kallagudde and conducted an inspection.
Grants request
Regarding the road development work on the B C Road - Polali stretch, MLA Rajesh Naik informed the press that a Rs 2 crore grant has been approved from the CRF fund, and the foundation stone for the 3.3 km road development has already been laid. Similarly, he urged minister Jarkiholi to take necessary steps for the tender process for the road development work under the PWD’s Appendix scheme, which has been allocated Rs 4 crore. Minister Jarkiholi promptly instructed the officials to issue tenders for the work.
Additionally, MLA Naik made a request for extra funds to complete the remaining roadwork, aiming to fully develop the road. Minister Jarkiholi assured that the necessary measures would be taken for the remaining portion of the project.