Kana-Surathkal stretch: MLA threatens protest

Mangaluru North MLA Dr Y Bharath Shetty on Saturday threatened to stage a dharna if PWD (public works department) failed to asphalt Kana-Surathkal Road stretch at the earliest.

He was speaking at the Prajavani-Deccan Herald’s Janaspandana, organised at Srinivasa Mallya Rangamandira in Surathkal.

Shetty said a proposal to asphalt Kana-Surathkal road at a cost of Rs 52 crore was approved a long time ago. However, the project is being delayed by PWD officials, who are giving lame excuses, he added.

“Though it may seem as inappropriate to lead an agitation as an MLA, I will stage a dharna if the works are delayed further,’’ he declared as members in the audience clapped in an expression of appreciation.

Shetty also expressed his disappointment against the government for not releasing funds.

He suspected petty politicking and said concrete road projects gets implemented at a faster pace than school buildings.

Meanwhile, patchworks will be carried out on the stretch. A junior engineer had submitted a proposal of Rs 40-lakh as estimated cost of the patch works, he said.

“I had succeeded in getting MRPL to foot the bill for carrying out the patch works. The patch works will be completed within two weeks,” Shetty promised.

He also spoke of seeking a list of available land for implementing developmental projects from Mangaluru Tahasildar.

Full-fledged hospital

With CSR (corporate social responsibility) funds I am keen on upgrading the 10-bedded hospital (Community Health Centre) in Surathkal into a full-fledged hospital to treat victims of industrial accidents, he said.

MLA also shared his vision of establishing basketball and volleyball courts in each ward. The youth instead of being led astray will be involved in sports. He revealed that he received a majority of calls from the relatives of patients seeking his help to reduce hospital bills.

“I am keen on reducing the hospital bills of the poor by helping them get access to health insurance schemes. With the help of police, I will also campaign in order to ensure that all vehicle owners, particularly youth, have vehicle insurance.”

Shetty said primary health centres and schools were his priority. He said he had visited nearly 40 % of Anganwadi schools in his constituency.

“From my experience, the anganwadis are not child and disabled-friendly,” he said and added that he will seek the help of MRPL and MCF to make Anganwadis child and disabled-friendly.

He said his goal was to build a sports complex in Surathkal and swimming pool in Kavoor.

“Post elections, I have rendered all help irrespective of caste or religion,’’ he stressed.

Shetty said he was planning a programme on the lines of Janaspandana. “I intend to collect documents and even settle some disputes on the spot,” he said.