Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Feb 7: The State government has sanctioned Rs 186 crore for implementing an underground electricity distribution system across Ullal city limits, with the tender process set to be completed shortly and construction to begin soon thereafter, Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker and Mangaluru MLA U T Khader announced on Saturday.
Addressing the media at the Circuit House here, Khader said the project aims not only to enhance the city’s visual appeal but also to address long-standing civic issues.
“Several houses have high-tension lines passing overhead, and in many places electric poles stand inside residential compounds. This project has been designed to permanently resolve these problems while accelerating urban development,” he said.
The work is expected to be completed within two years and will help transform Ullal into a model city, he added.
To ensure uninterrupted power supply in the Mangaluru constituency in the years ahead, Rs 96 crore has been sanctioned to upgrade the existing 32 KV electricity transmission system to a 110 KV network.
“This project has been planned keeping the next 30 years in mind. Even if industries, housing projects and major development initiatives come up, there should be no power shortage,” Khader said.
Meanwhile, Rs 252 crore has been approved for the construction of the Kotekar–Ullal connecting bridge, with tenders to be floated shortly. Excluding national highways, no other region has seen such a large bridge built to connect villages, he said.
The proposed bridge, spanning 1.5 kilometres, is expected to significantly boost tourism in the coastal belt.
In addition, a Rs 6 crore project has been formulated for the development of hotels, restaurants and boat jetties along the bridge corridor to promote tourism-related activities.
Khader said focused efforts are also under way to develop villages such as Thumbe and Meramajalu, which were included in the Mangaluru Assembly constituency following delimitation.
The Harekala–Thumbe connecting bridge has already been completed, while funds have now been sanctioned for the construction of the Sajipa–Thumbe connecting bridge at a cost of ?62 crore, he said.
Responding to queries about remarks made by MLA Shivalinge Gowda during the previous Assembly session, Khader said such comments should not have been made.
“Legislators must be aware of the law and rules. They should exercise restraint while speaking in the House and remember that people closely watch their conduct. MLAs should not behave in a manner that brings disrepute to their constituency or district,” he said.
Clarifying reports that the chief minister had criticised the Speaker for continuing Assembly proceedings amid disruptions, Khader said no such statement was made.
“When Opposition members interrupted the speech, the chief minister merely stated that such behaviour was not appropriate. The Speaker’s role is to conduct proceedings in a balanced and coordinated manner,” he explained.
On reports regarding preparations for setting up another toll gate on the Mangaluru–Bengaluru National Highway, Khader said local MLAs and MPs must discuss the issue and clearly communicate the facts to the public.
He noted that before the commencement of any National Highway project, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is signed between the district administration and the National Highways Authority, containing comprehensive details. “Elected representatives should obtain this information and explain it to the people,” he said.
Khader also announced that the government has allotted 50 cents of land at Thiruvail in Vamanjoor for the construction of a Kannada Bhavan for the Mangaluru taluk Kannada Sahitya Parishat.