Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Dec 19: MP Shobha Karandlaje participated through video conference in the inauguration and foundation stone laying programme for 33 national highway projects in Karnataka costing Rs 10,904 crore covering 1,197 kilometre, launched by Nitin Gadkari, minister of Road Transport & Highways, Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises on Saturday December 19.
Addressing media later, she said, “After Nitin Gadkari became the minister of Road Transport and Highways, national highway construction work picked speed than earlier. Thirty kilometres are being completed on average per day. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government, the transport minister’s contribution to our state is incredible.
“One portion of the Malpe-Theerthahalli work has been done and tender has been called for further work. A 3D design has been made regarding Parkala bottle neck area. In Udupi, land acquisition is the biggest problem. Once land acquisition work is over, construction work will be commenced.
“Kundapur Shastri circle work is taking too much time to get completed due to several reasons. Within three months, it will be completed. Due to the corona pandemic, all construction works are slowed down.
“We are awaiting permission for land acquisition from Malpe to Karavali for road widening. We have also got permission from the railway department to build bridge at the place of old railway bridge,” she said.
Earlier, minister Gadkari launched old NH-17 construction work project from Kundapur to Honnavar, which is constructed at the cost Rs 2,639 crore. He also laid foundation stone for retaining wall in Charmadi Ghat to prevent accidents which will be built at a cost Rs 19.5 crore. The minister also also laid foundation stone for upgradation of three bridges namely Puttige Bridge, Nemmaru and till SK border.
Gadkari said that all road projects will improve access to economic corridors, coastal and remote areas. It will improve connectivity and lead to development. It would transform agriculture, fisheries and health sectors. Also these projects will bring prosperity and boost socio-economic progress of the region, he said.
Udupi MLA Raghupati Bhat, Sumithra R Naik, president, City Municipality Council, Lakshmi Manjunath Kola, vice president, City Municipality Council, Sheela K Shetty, vice president, zilla panchayat, Geethanjali Suvarna, zilla panchayat member, Kuilady Suresh Nayak, district president, BJP, Kuthyar Naveen Shetty, general secretary and others were present.