R. Vishal, Deputy Commissioner, said on Saturday that the land acquisition work for the widening of the National Highway 66, which passed through Udupi district, was nearly complete.
He was chairing the Regional Transport Authority meeting here.
Dr. Vishal said that the acquired land had been handed over to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). In the first phase of land acquisition for widening of NH66, 181 applications seeking compensation were accepted. Of these, compensation had been distributed to 142 persons.
The other applications were rejected as they did not come within the ambit of relief. An amount of Rs. 9 crore was distributed as compensation to the land-losers.
However, responding to petitions seeking additional compensation, the amount of relief was hiked to Rs. 15 crore. Along with interest, Rs. 17 crore was given as compensation to the land-losers.
As the second phase of land acquisition was underway, the administration was receiving applications seeking compensation. So far, 200 applications had been received.
Of these, compensation had been distributed to 23 persons. The rest of the applications would be considered in phases, Dr. Vishal said.
When some persons complained about bus timing at the meeting, Dr. Vishal directed the Regional Transport Officer Surendrappa to take action to ensure that all buses followed the timings given to them. If they did not follow the timings, action should be taken against them, he said.
The issues of road safety would be discussed in the Road Safety Committee meeting with the Superintendent of Police and bus owners.
