Rain damage: ZP submits proposal for Rs 17 crore

Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat CEO Dr M R Ravi said that the Panchayat has submitted a proposal for Rs 17 crore to the deputy commissioner under Calamity Relief Fund for work on damaged roads, bridges and culverts following heavy rain in the district.

Speaking at the Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) meeting chaired by MP Nalin Kumar Kateel on Saturday, he said 958 public properties have been damaged following the rain, including 268 roads and bridges, 101 drains and culverts and 120 retaining walls.

As the experts and villagers opined that the Ajjavara – Kantamangala bridge is weak, the ZP has decided to take up immediate work to strengthen the bridge at a cost of Rs 15 lakh. The work will begin on Sunday.

The ZP engineering division officials said that all landslides that occurred in different parts of the district have been cleared. The road has sunk at Aikoor and the repair work is in progress and will be completed within a week.

Report within 2 days

NH Executive Engineer Subbarama Holla said that experts have inspected the Gurupura bridge on NH 169 and checked the foundation, steel and other basic structure of the bridge. The strengthening work will be taken up based on the report on the carrying capacity of the bridge which will be received in two days.

Further, he said that the road at Kethikkal on NH 169 has sunk and developed cracks. The work on filling the sunken area has been taken up. Even the experts’ opinion is sought for permanent solution to the road.

Clean water tanks

MLA Umanath Kotian said that drinking water tanks are not cleaned for several years in district. There is a need to take up the work on cleaning the tanks. The storage tanks have to be cleaned to check accumulation of sediment and slime (algae) and also other unwanted materials, reminded Kotian.

Dr Ravi said that AEEs and EO in taluks should constitute a task force and identify the water tanks that needs to be cleaned. The cleaning works can be taken up under the 14th Finance Commission and also under the Swaccha Bharath Mission.

MLA Harish Poonja said that the Mescom and Forest Department officials should work in coordination. DHO Dr Ramakrishna Rao said that as a part of Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight, a circular was sent to all to clean the water tanks.

Maintain of road

Deputy Commissioner Sasikanth Senthil directed NHAI Project Director Linge Gowda to maintain the stretch from Addahole to B C Road, where the work of four-laning is in progress. Machinery should be placed on strategic locations to take up the work immediately. Even a gang of men should be stationed to maintain the stretch. The road is in pathetic condition, he instructed.

In case of puddles being created on the road, the respective gram panchayats should be allowed to take up the work immediately rather than waiting for the contractor.

The project director said that 84 curves on the stretch are being straightened by cutting the hillocks beside the road.

MLA Sanjeeva Matandoor said that, owing to the shoddy work, the soil from the road has entered farm land beside the highway.

PWD superintending engineer said that six drains have been proposed on the road at Adyapady.

ZP Project Director Lokesh said that under Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana, 25 works in Balpa village has been completed and 10 works are in progress.