Madikeri: Kodagu district minister NS Boseraju on Tuesday reprimanded officials over the poor condition of roads across the district, stating that they lacked the required willpower. He emphasized that the government was providing sufficient funds for road repairs but that the works were not being executed properly.
Minister Pulls Up Officials for Negligence
Speaking at the KDP meeting, Boseraju said officials of the public works department (PWD) were not functioning efficiently and expressed dissatisfaction over the quality and pace of road repair works. He strongly criticized their negligence.
Funds Released for Road Works
PWD engineers informed the minister that during 2025–26, Rs 7.4 crore was released under the district road management programme for state highways. Of this, 11 works were taken up in Madikeri division, 20 in Somwarpet division and 13 in Virajpet division. They also said Rs 14.1 crore had been released for district main roads.
Boseraju noted that the state government had allocated additional funds for road repairs in Kodagu, particularly given the district's vulnerability to rain-related damage. However, he said officials were failing to utilise the funds effectively and directed them to complete all works before the onset of the monsoon.
Officials Blame Contractors, Minister Unimpressed
When officials attributed delays to contractors and shortages in the supply of raw materials, the minister took strong exception, saying it was the responsibility of officials to properly brief contractors and ensure that work progressed without hindrance.
Concerns Raised by Local Leaders
Madikeri MLA Manthar Gowda said road works should be completed during the dry season and expressed displeasure that the Mutlu-Hammiyala-Devastur road had not been included for repairs. He also warned that the Jedigundi area faces landslide risks every rainy season.
Karnataka Sports Authority vice-president CS Arun Machaiah said that the Virajpet-Perumbadi-Makutta and Ammathi-Kondangeri-Moornad, Karike-Bhagamandala road works are not going on properly.
District Guarantee Scheme Implementation Committee president Teethira Dharmaja Uthappa said the Bittangala-Balugod road should be completed quickly.
