Pics: Meryick D'Silva
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV/SP)

Mangaluru, Jul 29: Dakshina Kannada district incharge minister, B Ramanath Rai, questioned how tollgates could continue to operate and collect toll charges from road users at a time when the highway and service roads in the district are in a wretched state.

At a meeting held on Tuesday July 28 with officials of National Highways Authority of India, Rai questioned them about the unscientific way in which highway widening work is being executed. He asked them to justify how toll charges are being collected without the completion of B C Road - Pumpwell highway work fully, and without even completing and maintaining service roads properly.

Both Rai and health minister, U T Khader, instructed the officials to take immediate steps to fill potholes that have mushroomed in the highways of the district.

"Traffic blocks have become a common phenomenon at places like Pumpwell, Yekkur, Kallapu, Thokkottu and other places all along the highway. Flyover work at Thokkottu and Pumpwell had been started, but the work is not moving ahead.

The officials concerned are just whiling away time without executing the works. Problems also exist at Kumpala, Beeri, Kotekar, K C Road and other places on the highway. The officials do not seem to be giving a thought to the plight of people at these places," the ministers noted angrily.

Khader also said that the task of filling potholes on Pumpwell-Talapady road should be done at the earliest and that the work should be done during the night so that commuters are not inconvenienced.

MLA J R Lobo, MLC Ivan D'Souza, and Dakshina Kannada district deputy commissioner, A B Ibrahim, were present.

Prior to the meeting, rich tributes were paid to former President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam.

"Dr Abdul Kalam contributed immensely to the nation. He was a true patriot and a great humanitarian," said Ramanath Rai.

U T Khader said, "Dr A P J Abdul Kalam contributed greatly to the field of science and
technology. Even at the age of 83 he shared his knowledge with students. Dr Kalam's life is a great message to us."

Minister for youth service and fisheries Abhayachandra Jain said, "He was a very rare scientist. He strived immensely for the progress of the country. Even after his retirement he shared his knowledge with students."

J R Lobo, Ivan D'Souza, and DC A B Ibrahim also paid rich tributes.