From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bangalore, Oct 23: Flood-ravaged Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have agreed to share the cost of repairing the bridge across Tungabhadra river, an important link between Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh damaged in the rain fury claiming over 300 lives in both the states besides destroying crops and damaging property.

The cost of repairing the bridge between Raichur and Andhra Pradesh, linking the pilgrim town of Mantralaya, is estimated to be Rs 36 crore.

The Andhra Pradesh chief minister K Rosaiah, who made his first visit to Karnataka met state chief minister B S Yeddyurappa in Bangalore, and the two chief ministers also decided to take up a project for jointly rebuilding the bridge as a permanent measure at a cost of Rs 300 crore.
Both states would set aside funds for it in the next budgets, Yeddyurappa said after the meeting with his Andhra Pradesh counterpart, which he described as ``most cordial and fruitful.’’

As if to buttress his contention of a cordial and fruitful discussion, Yeddyurappa said both the government would impress upon the Centre to be liberal in granting financial assistance to the states in taking up the massive rehabilitation works from the National Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF) or Central Road Fund to repair damaged roads and bridges.

"We will also request the Centre to modify the norms and guidelines for granting compensation guidelines under NCCF and increase the unit cost of houses from the present Rs 35,000 to Rs 50,000,’’ he said pointing out that the cost of labour and material made it imperative for enhancing the compensation.

Yeddyurappa also indicated that both the governments would jointly request the Centre for waiver of farm loans availed by the farmers from banks and other financial institutions as it was done by the Central government a few years ago. ``This will go a long way in instilling confidence among the farmers,’’ he said.