News and pics: Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Oct 10: The works relating to the conversion of the road from Kadiyali here to Syndicate Circle in Manipal into a four-lane one, being implemented at a total cost of Rs 12.5 crore, got a beginning on Saturday October 10, with the performance of the traditional 'Guddali Puja'.
MP D V Sadanand Gowda, who initiated the programme, said that the state government has been ensuring of late, that technology as applicable to Malnad region was applied while laying roads in the district. He explained, that all the roads that pass through the district headquarters would be transformed into permanent roads within the next four years. The Tourism Development Corporation has submitted a proposal to develop the road between the city and Malpe at a cost of Rs 28 crore, which is likely to be sanctioned shortly, Gowda divulged. "The repairs of the national highway 17, which is in a very bad shape, will begin once the rains completely subside. At present, the National Highway Authority has been vested with a sum of Rs. 48,000 per kilometre for the highway repairs between Kundapur and Suratkal. However, a sum of one lac rupees per km would be required for undertaking proper repairs. Hence, pressure would be exerted on the central government to release the additional sum as above, for the repairs," Gowda stated.
The four-lane work has to be completed in 18 months. The work is being executed by Iqbal, contractor.
MLA Raghupati Bhat, municipal president Dinkar Shetty, Udupi Urban Development Authority chairman Sudhakar Shetty, zilla panchayat president Gladys D'Almeida, PWD executive engineer Suresh Shetty, zilla panchayat member Upendra Nayak, municipal councillors Devendra Prabhu, Mohan Upadhyaya, Sandhya Nayak, Jayakiran Rao and Bharati Chandrashekhar were present.
Raghavendra Kini welcomed. Pandurang Malpe compered the programme.