Chief Minister’s Legal Advisor and Virajpet MLA A.S. Ponnanna launched and performed bhoomi pooja for various development works worth approximately Rs 100 crore in Madenadu Gram Panchayat on Friday.
The projects included inauguration of roads such as Kaspadi Road near Katakeri, Bhagavathy Temple Road, Appendriyappa Temple Road, KatakeriGolikatte Main Road, MadenaduByretti Junction Road and Madenadu Matha Mane Road. He also inaugurated KolpeDaivasthan Road, Kolcharu Road, KemmaranShiraj Road, Abbikolli Road, KatakeriKurana Bane Road and the Mangalore-Bhagamandala Link Road at Talathamane.
Bhoomi pooja was performed for Deshkodi and Salapu Roads, JodupalaKirikil Road and Talathamane Durga Bhagavathy Temple Road.
Later, the MLA inspected Golikatte Government School, visited Neriya Ainmane and held a grievance meeting at Kudiyar Colony.
Speaking on the occasion, Ponnanna said that in the last two-and-a-half years, extensive development works have been undertaken in the Virajpet Assembly constituency, including initiation of nearly 2,500 km of road development.
Under the Chief Minister’s Road Development Scheme, Rs 50 crore has been sanctioned along with an additional Rs 30 crore for construction of roads, bridges and retaining walls.
He stated that Kodagu district has significant demands for improved road connectivity, drinking water, electricity and transportation facilities, and these are being addressed in a phased manner. Rs 58 crore has been earmarked for drinking water projects, while Kodagu is yet to receive funds under the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Referring to the Jamma Bane issue, he said efforts have been made by present and former MLAs to resolve the land concerns of leaseholders.
Reacting to the State Budget, he noted that Virajpet Hospital has been upgraded on the lines of a district hospital. The Gonikoppa Government Hospital will be upgraded to a 50-bed facility and Hudikeri Hospital to a community health centre, with inspection by the Health Minister expected shortly.
To mitigate human-elephant conflict, construction of a 22-km trench/fence has commenced. Works to strengthen electricity infrastructure are also underway.
Further, Rs 50 crore is being spent on protective barriers and cleaning works in low-lying areas along the Cauvery riverbed, while Rs 20 crore has been allocated for relocating families residing along the banks of the Lakshmana Tirtha River. Â Â Gram Panchayat President Vimalakshi, Guarantee Scheme Implementation Committee District President Dharmaja Uthappa, Tahsildar Sridhar, T.P. EO Shekhar and other officials were present.
