Daijiworld Media Network – Karkala (SP)

Karkala, Mar 31: “There is no going back from the earlier decision of the district administration to widen the main road in the town by seven feet on both sides. No exemptions will be permitted, and every one has to go back by seven feet by clearing their buildings if any. No steps or other parts of the building will be allowed within this stretch,” said Udupi district deputy commissioner, Hemalata, after holding discussions with businessmen and building owners here on Wednesday March 30.

While stressing that this rule will be uniformly applicable to every individual, she requested the people not to lend an ear to contradicting rumours. She said that a proposal of ten crore rupees has been submitted to the government for laying roadside drainage system, and that the district in-charge minister has promised to release three crore rupees in the first phase. She said that at first, concrete slabs will be laid over the drains on both the sides, and asphalting will be undertaken later.

“Out of 381 identified properties, 150 have voluntarily agreed to leave aside seven feet for the road. 120 more have asked for additional time, claiming that they are facing labour shortage. 55 have already earned the appreciation of the people by leaving seven feet for the road. 56 others say that owners are living in far off places. The road widening work will be completed at any cost, before the car festival of Lord Venkatramana Temple here in May,” she explained.

The DC was in the town on Wednesday for reviewing the progress of the main road widening project. She met owners of shops and rented people who have already set aside seven feet land at the Travellers Bugnalow here, and interacted with them on the problems faced by them, and redressal measures. Thereafter, she conducted spot inspection near Lord Venkatramana emple.

Municipal president, Pratima, vice-president, Prema Acharya, municipal councillors, Shubhada Rao and Subhit Kumar, tahsildar, Jagannath Rao, chief officer, Gopalakrishna Shetty, and others were present.