Nalin Kumar Kateel, MP, said here on Thursday that the Union government was examining a proposal to upgrade four State highways passing through Dakshina Kannada and Udupi as national highways. He was addressing presspersons after releasing a booklet on his 100 days’ achievements as MP.
Mr. Kateel said that the State highway between Mulki and B.C. Road via Kinnigoli, Kateel, Bajpe and Polali; the highway from Udupi to Sullia via Karkala, Dharmasthala and Kukke Subrahmanya; the highway between Pane Mangalore and Thokkottu via Melkar, Mudipu and Konaje; and the highway from Periashanthi to Mulki via Dharmasthala, Belthangady and Moodbidri had been proposed for upgrading.
Mr. Kateel said Rs. 39 crore has been sought from the Union government for filling potholes and the repair of Mangalore-Bangalore and Mangalore-Solapur national highways passing through Dakshina Kannada.
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The MP said that the Union government released Rs. 153 crore for improving the Shiradi Ghat stretch on Mangalore-Bangalore national highway between Gundia and Marnahalli. Of the 47-km stretch, 13 km would be concreted at an estimated cost of Rs. 69.9 crore and the remaining would be asphalted at an estimated cost of Rs. 83.28 crore.
To a question on the closure threat of Mangalore Chemicals and Fertilizers Ltd., the MP said he was hopeful that the Union Cabinet might allow the unit to continue production using naptha for six more months.