Shobha tells officials to complete NH work soon

MP Shobha Karandlaje on Friday directed the national highway (NH) officials to complete the construction of the proposed national highway from Malpe to Theerthahalli at the earliest.

“The delay in the works has created chaos,” Karandlaje said while reviewing the progress of the Centre-sponsored schemes (DISHA) at the Zilla Panchayat Hall here.

The MP also sought explanation from the officials for the delay in implementing the work.

The NH officials said the work on the entire stretch from Theerthahalli to Malpe was divided into six packages. In the first phase, work on two packages had begun and work on next two packages would begin in the following year.
They said the two packages allotted for the this fiscal include the completion of Udupi-Parkala and Theerthahalli-Megaravalli
stretch.

The NH officials also said that Rs 78.5 crore was released for 12 construction works in Udupi and another Rs 113 crore for Chikkamgaluru district.

They added that in Parkala, the land acquisition process has been started and is likely to end in May. The national highway also will be widened in Parkala, the officials added.

Elaborating, the officials said Rs 18 crore was spent on a bridge at Perdur in Karkala, Rs 68 crore on road construction works, while another Rs 7.5 crore was spent in Mala.

Karandlaje expressed dissatisfaction for the lack of initiatives in making the state government-sponsored Mathru Poorna Yojane popular among beneficiaries.

She said the scheme is a failure in the region and government should consider redesigning the scheme particularly for coastal districts.

She insisted that at least the amount spent on the beneficiaries should be deposited in their respective bank accounts as most of the pregnant women are not availing the benefits.

Karandlaje also said that nutritious food items be supplied to beneficiaries, so that they can cook the food at home.

The MP said cashless transaction model of Kadur Gram Panchayat should be implemented in all the Gram Panchayats.

She directed the KSRTC officials to deploy JNNRUM buses in areas where less private buses are operating. Forty JNNRUM buses plying on roads already, she
added.

City Municipal Council environment engineer Raghavendra said the administration is planning to instal a treatment plant at Varahi with the objective of providing treated water to villages.

An amount of Rs 121.5 crore has been released under Amruth programme for the entire project.

The Health Department officials said 50 samples have tested negative to Kyasanur Forest Disease.