Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB/EP)

Udupi, May 23: “Clean the drains on both sides of national highways, state highways, PWD roads, district panchayat roads and rural roads and make sure that rainwater does not accumulate anywhere but flows freely without any hindrances,” said S Angara, Minister for fisheries, ports, inland water transport department and district in-charge minister.

He was speaking after presiding over a meeting over the monsoon in the district.

“Repeated complaints are being received of the rainwater hindering traffic on national highways. Unscientific works in this connection should be done away with. Kundapura tahsildar and municipal council officers should visit the spots, take measures to prevent accidents due to rain and submit a report within the next two days,” he asked the national highway department officials.

“All the drains in the Udupi council limits and local body’s limits should be cleaned. Break and clear the barriers if any are erected by private people that block rainwater from flowing making use of the authority granted under natural calamities Act,” he said.

“Make a list of dangerous trees on the roadside, submit it to the forest department and obtain approval from the department to vacate them. The forest department officials should issue directions to their subordinates to clear trees that fall due to rain and respond to the request to axe dangerous trees,” he said.

“The fire brigade and the department of emergency services should keep ready all the necessary equipment and obtain boats from the fishing department if needed.”

Angara directed the health department to make sure that there are no attacks of dengue and malaria and to create awareness among people to prevent stagnation of water especially near the places where migrant workers reside.

MLA Raghupathi Bhat said that the compensation paid for loss due to rain is very less. “The officers should prepare the estimate of damage with compassion and provide the maximum monetary help,” he said.

“Officials should work in coordination to prevent rain damages in their limits. Any complex issues should be brought to my notice. Contact me if any emergency aid is required,” he said.

Kaup MLA Lalaji R Mendon, coastal development authority president Mattar Rathnaker Hegde, district panchayat chief executive Prasanna H, coast guard SP Amshukumar, additional deputy commissioner Veena, Kundapura DFO Ashish Reddy, Karkala DFO Ganapathi, ASP Siddalingappa and various district level officials were present.