Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB/SP)
Udupi, Oct 13: Work on the much-awaited widening of Ambagilu-Perampalli-Manipal road by converting it into a four-lane one, has gained momentum now. As per a notification issued by the public works department (PWD), the process of acquiring 7.32 acres of land required for the road widening has been initiated. About 90 percent of private land owners have given their nod for the acquisition of their land in this way. The land acquisition process might take two months after which the works on the road widening will be taken up.
People coming to Manipal from the direction of Kundapur and Santhekatte will henceforth find it easy to reach Manipal. Earlier, they had to cover an additional distance of 3.5 km to go to Manipal. Once the new road is laid, the distance to Manipal from Ambagilu will shrink to just 5.5 km.
The demand for widening of this road was pending since several decades. The process of land acquisition on Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) basis has already been given the beginning under the leadership of local MLA Raghupati Bhat.
In Udupi, TDR is being used as a mode to acquire land for the first time. The MLA had held several rounds of discussions with people who will be losing their land due to the widening of this road. Ninety percent of them have agreed to sacrifice their land in exchange for TDR. The TDR rights which will be issued to those who lose their land due to road widening will be double the value of the land they lose. They can use TDRs for their own use or can sell the same to others.
Raghupati Bhat said that PWD has already released about Rs 15 crore for land acquisition and tender process has also been completed.
The new road will be very convenient for the students of educational institutions at Manipal and families visiting the hospital there from the directions of Kundapur, Brahmavar, and Santhekatte among others. The current width of the road is ten metres, and it will be widened to 20 metres. Ten metres of land on both sides of the road from the middle of the road will be acquired. Those who lose considerable pieces of land will be provided with TDR while those who sacrifice smaller pieces of land will be paid cash compensation.