From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Sirsi (Uttara Kannada), Mar 4: Former Chairman of the Karnataka Coastal Development Authority and KPCC General Secretary Nivedith Alva, believes in bridging gaps in development by taking up small initiatives that a go a long way in solving the problems of the people.

This probably might help in his quest for getting the Congress ticket from Sirsi in Uttara Kannada.

Nivedith is the son of senior Congress leader Margaret Alva, who has served as minister at the Centre and also as a Governor. He comes from a family of Congress stalwarts like Joachim Alva and Violet Alva, who have represented Karwar in the Lok Sabha.

Over the last year, Nivedith has initiated various developmental works in Sirsi and Siddapur taluks of Uttara Kannada - including constructing footbridges, improving roads, culverts, bridges, drainages and even asphalting as well as reasphalting roads by prevailing upon different government departments to pitch in funds or take up works.

As Chairman of the first-ever Karnataka Coastal Development Authority covering the districts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada, Alva was instrumental in taking up 74 footbridges, four suspension bridges, 15 fish markets, one skywalk and two parks among others.

After his tenure as Chairman of Karnataka Coastal Development Authority, Nivedith Alva continued to be instrumental in taking up a series of small projects involving a total financial expenditure of nearly Rs 13 crore besides getting as many as 822 houses constructed through the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation.

He has succeeded in prevailing upon the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department to spend Rs 2.45 crore on 17 different projects and another 17 projects from the Planning Department involving an expenditure of Rs 1.38 crore.

While the Slum Improvement Board has spent Rs 50 lakh on various projects in Sirsi taluk, the Public Works Department has taken up another 14 projects involving a total expenditure of Rs 6.80 crore. Additionally, the Tourism Development Department has also taken up three Yatri Nivas projects involving an expenditure of Rs 2 crore.

Further, Nivedith Alva also reached out to MLA Ms Vinisha Nero to spend Rs 14 lakh on road improvement, construction of bridges and school compound wall constructions from the Legislator’s Area Development Fund. The Rajya Sabha MP Rajiv Gowda has released Rs 14.50 lakh from his MP Area Development Fund as well.

Local administration and people have thanked KPCC General Secretary and former Chairman of Coastal Development Authority Nivedith Alva for obtaining administrative approval and prevailing upon the State Government to sanction these projects for the benefit of the people and development of Sirsi and Siddapur taluks of Uttara Kannada.