More than ₹37 crore, including ₹20.56 crore released under the Chief Minister Calamity Relief fund, is being spent for repair and maintenance of roads, bridges and drains damaged in the district following heavy rains, said district in-charge Minister U.T. Khader here on Thursday.
Speaking at the Rajyotsava celebrations at Nehru Maidan, Mr. Khader said ₹20.56 crore will be spent for repair of roads, bridges and drains on the State Highways and Major District Roads coming under the purview of the Public Works Department. In addition, the government has granted ₹7.25 crore for maintenance of roads and bridges in the State Highways, while ₹6.53 crore has been given for maintenance of roads and bridges on the district roads in Dakshina Kannada.
Mr. Khader said the government was using NABARD funds for road works at seven places at a cost of ₹5.15 crore and construction of a bridge at a cost ₹80 lakh. The Minister said a proposal for sanction of ₹250 crore for repair of Charmadi Ghat has been sent to the State government. The Netravathi river front between Jeppu and Sujirkar Tiles Factory will be developed under the Smart City Project at an estimated cost of ₹235 crore, he said.
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Emphasising on the government’s thrust to make better use of the natural water resources, Mr. Khader said tenders have been called for construction of 10 ventend dams as part of the Paschima Vahini project of taping west flowing rivers. Estimate was being worked out for construction of road-cum-vented dam between Harekala and Pavoor-Kannur.
The Minister said as many as 72,450 farmers from the district have opted for waiver of farm loan to the extent of ₹1 lakh. The State government has given administrative sanction for construction of mini Vidhana Soudha at Moodbidri and Kadaba taluks at an estimated cost of ₹10 crore. In Mangaluru, Mr. Khader said the new market complex in Alake, which was being constructed at a cost of ₹50 lakh, will be opened shortly. He said tender was being floated for construction of new market complex in Kadri.