Mangaluru: Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwara said the cabinet has given administrative approval for Rs 10,000 crore for the development of 15,000 km of rural roads under the Mukhya Mantri Rural Roads Development Pr…

Mangaluru: Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwara said the cabinet has given administrative approval for Rs 10,000 crore for the development of 15,000 km of rural roads under the Mukhya Mantri Rural Roads Development Project. Rs 6,000 crore will be spent on developing concrete roads and drains in villages.The cabinet has approved the construction and reconstruction of six major bridges in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts under the Public Works Department.The Palimar Bridge on the Damaskatte-Balkunje District Main Road in the Mulki-Moodbidri Assembly constituency of Dakshina Kannada district will be reconstructed for Rs 25 crore.A sum of Rs 50 crore has been approved to complete the remaining road and other works related to the bridge being constructed across the Nethravathi River between Kotekar and Bolara on the Mangaluru-Charvattur-Karavali District Main Road in Mangaluru taluk.The Karnataka Road Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL) has been authorised to take up the construction of a bridge at Kandlur (km 75.68) on the Thirthahalli-Kundapur State Highway in the Byndoor Assembly constituency of Kundapur taluk for Rs 55 crore.The government has also approved the construction of the Maravoor Bridge on the Mangaluru-Athradi State Highway through the KRDCL at an estimated cost of Rs 40 crore. In addition, Rs 33 crore has been sanctioned for the reconstruction of a 16-metre-wide bridge at Kateel on the same highway. The new bridge is expected to reduce traffic congestion near the Kateel temple.Karnataka Cabinet approves upgradation of Mangaluru Fisheries College to universityAnother bridge will be constructed across the Siriya River at a cost of Rs 26 crore to connect Kamajalu in Manila village of the Puttur Assembly constituency in Bantwal taluk with Poovanadka village.The government has granted administrative approval for maintaining fisheries link roads in the coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada for Rs 20 crore.The government has also approved various fisheries-related works costing another Rs 20 crore to improve the safety and convenience of fishermen. These include the construction of a jetty or berthing basin for traditional fishing boats at Kotepura and Bengre in Mangaluru, dredging from the estuary entrance of Mangaluru Fishing Harbour to Kotepura, and the installation of navigation buoys in the river channel between the Mangaluru Fishing Harbour and Kotepura to facilitate the safe movement of boats, said the minister.Wholesale marketTo ease congestion at the Mangaluru Fishing Harbour, the government has approved the development of a modern wholesale fish market at Ekkur on three acres of land belonging to the College of Fisheries along the National Highway. The project will be taken up at an estimated cost of Rs 30 crore.Approval has also been given for the development of a greenfield shipbuilding yard at Gangolli in Kundapur taluk of Udupi district under the PPP model on a DBFOT basis. The project is estimated to cost Rs 322 crore.

Source: Deccan Herald