The Minor Irrigation Department has sanctioned 22 works worth Rs. 4.8 crore, including three vented dams, in Mangaluru Assembly constituency represented by Minister for Health and Family Welfare U.T. Khader.
Mr. Khader told presspersons here on Monday that vented dams would be constructed at Ira village (Rs. 30 lakh), Konaje village (Rs. 30 lakh) and Kinya village (Rs. 70 lakh).
While tender process was on for the first project, tenders were yet to be called for the remaining two. The vented dams, Mr. Khader said, besides helping improving groundwater table in the region, would also help farming to certain extent.
ADVERTISEMENT
Similarly, two flood control projects had been sanctioned at Pudu and Manjanady villages at a cost of Rs. 30 lakh and Rs. 20 lakh, respectively. The remaining 17 works comprise construction of retaining walls for streams as well as the Netravathi.
Welcoming the recent announcement of Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari declaring Thokkottu-Melkar Road as a four-lane National Highway, Mr. Khader claimed that he had long been urging the Ministry to upgrade the road.
Meanwhile, Mr. Khader also said the road was not even a State Highway; but a major district road. “A road can be declared an NH only if it is an SH, he said. “Still, the Union Minister has made the announcement and I will see that the project is implemented through regular follow ups.”
ADVERTISEMENT
At the same time, the road had been widened by 1 metre on both the sides utilising government grants. While work at a cost of Rs. 7 crore was complete between Thokkottu and Mudipu, the stretch between Mudipu and Deraje would be widened at a cost of Rs. 7 crore, Mr. Khader added.
Vented dams will be constructed at Ira, Konaje, and Kinya villages, says U.T. Khader