Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jul 17: Minister, U T Khader, stated that repairing of the roads in the twin-districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, which have suffered heavy damages on account of rain, would begin on July 23.

He was speaking after attending a meeting in circuit house here with the participation of government officials and legislators about the development of highways and PWD roads in the district. Khader stated that he has instructed the concerned to see that in addition to filling the holes in the roads, roadside drains also should be attended. He said that there are 112 PWD roads in Dakshina Kannada and 119 in Udupi, adding that district main roads can also be repaired once by the department.

Khader stated that recommendation would be made to upgrade district main roads and village roads. He assured that quality of work would be given added prominence when undertaking road works. "Proposals for Rs 50 crore each towards road development from each of the legislators would be obtained and forwarded to the government. For getting state level tasks done, all the legislators will join and work together. About the works which fall under the central government, delegations comprising of legislators, MPs etc would meet the ministers and central leaders of the party to bring pressure on the concerned," he explained.

Khader said that for the construction of a new bridge in place of Mularpatna Bridge which recently crashed, an estimate of Rs 18 crore has been prepared and the same would be submitted to the minister soon. At the same time, he stated that there are plans to connect the crashed portion of the bridge with the help of security forces so that it can be used temporarily.

The minister informed that two English schools, one at Farangipet, and the other at Kallapu have been sanctioned and that both will begin functioning shortly.

Khader said that heavy vehicles are not being allowed to move on the developed portion of Shiradi Ghat highway at present pending roadside works. He however, assured that the pending works would be completed in 15 days after which heavy vehicles would be allowed on this road.