“The pipeline that is now lying idle after Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Limited (KIOCL) stopped mining at Kudremukh will be utilised for water supply for the twin districts from Kudremukh,” said District-in-Charge Minister B Nagaraj Shetty.

Addressing the gathering after unfurling the flag at the 60th Independence Day celebrations at Nehru Maidan here on Wednesday, he said that with the water supply commencing off, the water problems in the districts will come to an end.

“As it is a normal scene of the City facing acute drinking water problems during dry season, the much required second vented dam at Thumbe will also be a reality soon as the government has sanctioned Rs 40 crore in-principle for the same,” Mr Shetty added.

He said that considering the law and order situation and the need to beef up security, a hi-tech Police Academy will be started in Kudremukh.

Apart from this, he said that the second phase of the development work of Mangalore international airport at Bajpe at an estimated cost of Rs 200 crore, repair works of Shiradi Ghat roads at a cost of Rs 30 crore will also be taken up soon.

He assured that the government will make all the necessary endeavours to materialise the much awaited Mangalore-Bangalore railway connectivity after meeting the Union railway minister and authorities concerned at the earliest.

He said that the paediatric hospital built by Infosys which has recently been handed over to the district administration will start functioning from November 14, 2007 onwards.

Earlier, the Independence Day parade by Reserve Police, Civil Police, Traffic Police, District Armed Reserve (DAR) police, Coast Guards, Home Guards, NCC, Scouts and Guides, Bharat Seva Dal and Police Band was held. Bharath Seva Dal bagged the award as the best team in the Parade.

Felicitations

Nine persons were felicitated during the occasion for their valuable services. Mr K Ashok of Home Guards, Mr Tharanath Putran (for rescuing eight persons who were drowning in Nandini River), Ms Tulasi Shettigarthi, Mr Vyasaraya Shettigar and Mr Shankar Shettigar (all three for traditional cotton weaving) were felicitated.

The family members of three brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the nation were also honoured. Ms Veena M Nayak, wife of Jawan Muralidhar Nayak who died in Mizoram border; Ms U Vasanthi, wife of Jawan Uday Kumar received the honour while family members of Flt Lt Ronald Kevin Serrao could not make it to the programme to receive the honour.

Mini helicopter show

Rafter-30, a mini helicopter designed by NCC Aero Modelling faculty Rathnakar Nayak was the major attraction of the celebration. The chopper weighs 3.5 kilos and completely works with a remote control. It is built at a cost of Rs 60,000. As the helicopter took off, it made rounds in the air and then sprinkled tri-coloured flower petals and enthralled the audience.

Deputy commissioner M Maheshwar Rao, Superintendent of Police Sathish Kumar, Head Quarters Assistant to Office of Deputy Commissioner Prabhakar Sharma and other dignitaries were present.