Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (CLP)
Buses to run on approach road to Panambur beach
Mangaluru, Mar 10: District incharge minister and state minister for forest, ecology and environment Ramanath Rai on Tuesday March 10 gave a deadline of three months for the completion of eight pending works under phase-2 of Nagarothana project in the district.
He was chairing two review meetings at the DC's office in the city on March 10.
In the first review meeting of Nagarothana phase-2 project in the district, it was revealed that out of 54 works approved by the district, 41 are complete, five are under progress and 8 have been pending for the last two years. The work order was issued on May 23, 2013 to Niketan project management consultant.
Ramanath Rai said, "This is not acceptable. Officals have been delaying the work for the past two years. In Sullia half of the chief minister's small and medium town development programmes have not even been completed. We have given a deadline of three months to complete them."
Dakshina Kannada district deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim expressed unhappiness with the interlocks laid for pedestrian walk. "The quality of the interlocks is so poor that they can break if rickshaws pass on them. The interlocks used for petrol pumps have to be used everywhere."
Out of the sanctioned Rs 26.11 crore for the projects in the district, Rs 24 crore has been spent and Rs 2.10 crore is remaining, it was revealed.
The road and drainage works at Bantwal, Moodbidri, Puttur, Ullal, Beltangady, Mulky and Sullia were disscussed.
Review meeting of DK district tourism development committee
Under 'Karnataka Darshan’, 450 students of government high schools of the district were taken on excursion. A total of Rs 15.75 lac was released from zilla panchayat funds for the year 2014-15.
During the meeting Yathish Baikampady, CEO, Panambur Beach Tourism Development Project (PBTDP) said, "Twenty-three cruise ships used to come to Mangaluru, but now this number has reduced to 8 as the approach road connecting Panambur beach is full of dust. The regular visitor finds it difficult to walk as there is no transport facility for the convenience of the tourists.
"We have proposed to the ministry of tourism to conduct national surfing championship in Panambur. When former South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes attends this event along with Bollywood star Sunil Shetty, it will become an international event. We can thereby promote and give chance to Mangaluru to experience surfing in the city. We have talented surfers in Mangaluru but they are not getting enough exposure," he said.
In response, MLC Ivan D'Souza said that a separate meeting would be called to discussed the possibility of hosting such a surfing event in Mangaluru.
The deputy commissioner and the RTO officials discussed the non-availability of a bus service to the beach. The RTO official defended himself by saying, "We have given the permit to KSRTC but they are not interested as its not profitable. Shuttle service will solve the problem."
Ramanath Rai asked the official to be practical and not believe in book theory, and said shuttle service will not be successful.
Deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim asked the RTO officer to provide bus service between 4-6 pm every day to the beach goers. The buses which take the Katipalla route can make a trip to the beach, he suggested.
After much discussion between the officals, the DC asked the RTO officer to provide permit to buses from State Bank to Panambur beach. "This will attract the bus owners to come forward and thus the problem will be solved," he said.
Various pending works were told to be completed as soon as possible especially the toilet construction work at Polali temple.
Hephsiba Rani Korlapati, MCC commissioner, MLA Shakuntala Shetty, P I Sreevidya, DK zilla panchayat CEO, Ibrahim Kodijal, Mangaluru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) chairman and others were present.