Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady (MS)

Beltangady, Feb 7: Deputy chief minister (DCM) and PWD minister Govinda M Karjol visited Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala on Sunday January 7. He took darshan of Lord Manjunatha and offered special pooja and prayers. Later, he met Dharmadhikari Dr D Veerendra Heggade and had discussion for some time.

During the discussion Dr Heggade informed Karajola that the road between Kokkada-Periyashanti to Dharmasthala needs to be developed. He also pointed out that at some points on the said stretch there is the land belonging to the forest department which is causing obstruction for the development work. DCM Karjol assured that he will get the land of the forest department cleared and allott them some other land from the government. Dr Heggade also requested the DCM to build a new bridge across Netravati as the current one is built way back in 1961. Dr Heggade also appraised Karjol about the comprehensive progress that is made throughout the state by the Dharmasthala Gramabivriddi scheme of the Kshethra.

Later, Karjol inaugurated the newly built four-lane road from Dharmasthala Netravati bathing ghat to high school that is built at a cost of Rs 15 crore. MLA Harish Poonja welcomed the DCM. Dr Heggade felicitated the minister on behalf of the temple. The DCM also inaugurated Subramanya-Udupi state highway (SH37). Dr Veerendra Heggade, MLA Harish Poonja and other people representatives were present.

Karjol was traditionally welcomed on behalf of the temple. MLA Harish Poonja, MLC Pratap Simha Nayak, Beltangady BJP mandal president Jayanth Kotian and chief secretary Srinivas Rao were present.

Speaking to the scribes after the inauguration, Karjol said, "In the last two years due to incessant rains and floods more than 60,000 crore worth of crops, public property and buildings have been damaged. In 2020-21, crop and property worth Rs 35,000 crore is damaged. Roads and buildings belonging to PWD have incurred damages worth Rs 7,000 crore. An appeal is sent to the union government for compensation of Rs 1,800 crore. They have already released Rs 600 crore.

"Survey has been already conducted with respect to the development of national highway from Punjalakatte to Charmadi national highway. MLAs are putting pressure in this regard. Very soon, I along with the MLAs of this region, will meet union home minister Nitin Gadkari and appeal to him about the road development,” he said.