Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Jul 3: Considering the alleged poor performance of Navayuga Construction Company, which has secured the contract for four-lane conversion works of the district’s national highways, Udupi Chikkamagaluru constituency MP Shobha Karandlaje on Monday, June 3, directed deputy commissioner (DC) Priyanka Mary Francis to send a recommendation to the government to blacklist the company.
Addressing the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) meeting held at zilla panchayat hall, she said, “The national highway construction work is being delayed by Navayuga Company. It is creating problems for the public. The speed of construction of bridge at Kundapur's Shastri Circle is very slow and the service road has not been completed. They have not repaired damaged pipe lines during road work.”
Samson, NHAI departmental engineer, informed the MP that the project will be completed by March 2019. He said, “A total distance of 30 km service road has been completed out of 34 km. The work has been slow due to lack of man power.”
The MP further directed the DC to send a recommendation to the government to add Navayuga Company in blacklist.
Speaking on Mathru Poorna scheme, MP Shobha said, “Udupi has not received the expected level of benefit. It would be better if the government fixes an amount of money which will be credited to bank accounts every month instead of lunch for the beneficiaries of the scheme.
“Not all pregnant women and mothers can afford to eat at Anganwady centres in the coastal and Malnad area. The implementation of the project as it failed to understand the geographical environment and the local situation of the district,” she said. The MP instructed officials to report to the new government on the issue of funding directly the beneficiaries' bank accounts as central government’s Mathru Vandana Scheme.
District Health Officer Rohini informed that as many as 135 infant mortality and a maternal mortality cases were reported in the district. There are 812 beneficiaries receiving Janani Suraksha scheme. The department has reported highest number of premature birth cases here, she said.
Gracy Gonsalves, deputy director of Women and Child Development department, said that the department has already started functioning at Sakhi center. “Victims are approaching the center. The centre provides legal service, medical advice, counselling, call centre unit and other services.”
Railway officials informed that a new railway station at Bannanje is under progress at a cost of Rs 11.33 crore and will be completed by 2019. Ramakrishna Hegde Training Center worth Rs 2 crore will be completed by November 2018. Railway electrification work on Varna-Thokkur line worth Rs 317 crore is in progress. The extension of railway department requires Rs 4 crore.”
MP Shobha Karandlaje expressed unhappiness regarding the functioning of BSNL infrastructure. She suggested that new tower construction at Attur Church and Pajaka has to be completed soon. She also asked problems of BSNL connectivity in the district to be rectified.
Regarding hospitals refusing to provide treatment, the MP asked the DC to chair a meeting including all empanelled hospitals in the district.
The MP also asked the details of pending road works, harbour works, its progress, balance funds and required amount in the district.
Udupi zilla panchayat president Dinakar Babu, Udupi taluk panchayat president Nalini Pradeep Rao, zilla panchayat CEO Shivanand Kapashi, additional deputy commissioner Anuradha, nominated member for Disha committee Srikanth Nayak and all district level officers were present.