Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (JD)

Udupi, Oct 30: Member of Parliament for Udupi-Chikkamagaluru, Kota Srinivas Poojary, has called for immediate action to enhance public transport flow on the newly developing national highways in Udupi district.

During a review meeting at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Manipal's Rajatadri, he instructed officials and contractors to expedite ongoing construction projects, including flyovers, underpasses, and road maintenance, to minimize public inconvenience.

Poojary emphasised the importance of prompt land acquisition for national highway projects, directing officials to compensate landowners fairly and swiftly. He stressed that pending court cases should be resolved quickly to avoid further delays in construction.

Referring to National Highway 66, he urged the completion of the Santhekatte to Kundapura stretch, including sidewalk work, by November. He also directed the preparation of a project report to expedite service road construction alongside this highway.

Highlighting the construction of National Highway 169A from Malpe to Hebri, he mentioned that the government received a favorable court order, allowing land acquisition near Parkala to proceed. “Compensation should be disbursed without delay so work can begin,” he said.

However, he noted a stay order near the Ananteshwara Temple area, specifying that any development must respect the temple's original structure, as requested by devotees.

He instructed authorities to complete land acquisition and compensation disbursement along the coastal stretch from Karavali Junction to Malpe Junction by November 10 and to accelerate project completion efforts.

At the Hejamadi and Sasthana toll gates on NH 66, he suggested setting up canteens for drivers during night hours and proposed toll-fee concessions for local vehicles within a five-kilometer radius of the toll plazas.

Additionally, Poojary discussed essential projects such as the overpasses at Katapadi and Ambalpady, advising that all necessary preparations be made for timely commencement. He called for collaboration between the Railways and the National Highway Department to speed up the Indrali railway overpass project, aiming for completion by the end of November.

For the Savanoor-Birkankatte road, where construction had slowed due to rain, he urged immediate resumption of work, now that weather conditions are favourable. He also recommended providing temporary bus stops and service roads for public convenience and prioritized the maintenance of streetlights along the entire stretch of NH 66 from Sasthana to Kundapura.

The meeting included attendance from MLAs Yashpal Suvarna, Gurme Suresh Shetty, and Kiran Kumar Kodgi, as well as district officials, contractors, and representatives from the National Highways Authority.