Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (SP)

Bantwal, Sep 21: "Four roads which lead from B C Road to Polali, Kateel, Mulky connecting road and Melkar-Konaje-Thokkottu road, stand transferred to National Highways Authority of India as they have been planned to be developed and widened to 40 metres. Survey work will be undertaken within a week through DPI tender," said Dakshina Kannada Lok Sabha mamber, Nalin Kumar Kateel.

He shared this information with media persons present on Wednesday September 20, after initiating concreting work for the service road at B C Road.

The MP said that the central government has given its approval for development of four roads including B C Road - Siddakatte - Moodbidri road and Kalladka - Cherkala connecting road. "Public works department will undertake road works. To facilitate early completion of work, revenue department needs to acquire land needed for widening of these roads," he explained.

Kateel said that L&T company has bagged the contract for developing national highway between B C Road and Addahole into four-lane road, and that works on it will begin soon and that work on this road will be completed by 2019. At Kalladka, work will begin as soon as revenue department sorts out the fly over issue, he stated.

Nalin also said that National Highways Authority fund has released Rs 19 crore for laying three service roads in the district, out of which Rs 1.72 crore will be spend for development of service road at B C Road. "Out of this, concreting of 550 metres of road from the beginning of the fly over till the end has begun here. This work will conclude in two months after the rainy season," he explained.

The MP noted that even after compensation was remitted for expansion of the service road at B C Road, 12 buildings are yet to be cleared. He said that a list of such buildings has been provided to the deputy commissioner by highways authority and hoped for positive action soon. Some bus shelters also need to be removed. He said that the bus shelters will be set up at the spots identified by highways authority out of MP Local Area Development fund.

On this occaison, some people approached Kateel requesting him to help in removing the obstruction to the road leading to children's hospital from B C Road and also the road connecting BSNL office. He consulted with the engineer and instructed the concerned to solve these problems.

Nalin also said that the central government has provided for building a complex at a cost of three crore rupees for long distance travellers, which will include rest rooms, drinking water, toilets etc, and that he has recommended to station the same at B C Road Junction.

BJP leader, Rajesh Naik Ulipadyguthu, DK zilla panchayat member, Raveendra Kambali, former MLA, A Rukmaya Poojary, BJP block president, B Devadas Shetty, state BJP vice president, Sulochana G K Bhat and several others were present.