Karnataka Assembly Speaker U T Khader.
Credit: DH Photo
Mangaluru: Legislative Assembly Speaker and Mangalore MLA U T Khader said that he has directed Ullal CMC to conduct a drone survey on the encroachment of Rajakaluve and storm water drains in Ullal.
After the drone survey, encroachments will be marked and those who have encroached will be informed on the same. For the first time, Ullalbailu, Akkarakere, Millat Nagara, Bandikotya in Ullal have experienced flooding during this monsoon. The sudden flood in the night has caused huge loss to the house owners. Clothes were washed away, refrigerators were damaged in the houses. “I have appealed to the CM to increase the compensation to those affected by flood,” he said.
Houses and buildings were constructed without proper drains or encroaching the Rajakaluve, which in turn caused huge problems to the people in Ullal. Hence, drone surveys will be conducted and encroachments will be marked and widening of the drains will be taken up. Those who have encroached the drains should leave space for the drain, he added. “If unchecked, buildings that have come up in the buffer zone may have to be demolished after 20 years, just like the way it is being done in Bengaluru,” he cautioned.
To a query on UGD in Ullal, U T Khader said that majority of the works have been completed. Only in a few places, people have approached court, where the work has been halted. “From the beginning I have been appealing to people to cooperate with the authorities in the development of the constituency,” he said.
Widening at Thokkottu overbridge
A major road widening project from Thokkottu overbridge to Ullalbailu will soon commence at an estimated cost of Rs 38 crore.
The Thokkottu overbridge and the railway bridge adjacent to it will be widened. The PWD and railway department has already given approval for the same.
In addition, the Railways have approved the construction of a railway underpass at Thokkottu Olapete, a key route connecting Thokkottu. The underpass will be built at a cost of Rs two crore. Olapete in Thokkottu is a critical stretch that connects the National Highway to Ullal town. Every day, thousands of students and residents cross the railway track here to access public grounds, markets, schools, colleges, mosques, temples, and churches. Although the railway department had long demanded the closure of the crossing due to safety concerns and past mishaps, local authorities had so far maintained access in consideration of public convenience, Khader explained.
The Railway Department has now given approval for constructing the underpass, which will accommodate pedestrian and two-wheeler traffic and the work on the underpass will be taken up within three to four months.