MP Kota Srinivasa Poojary Directs Officials to Accelerate National Highway Development in Chikkamagaluru
In a significant move to boost infrastructure, Udupi-Chikmagalur MP Kota Srinivasa Poojary on Tuesday issued strict instructions to concerned officials to ensure the timely completion of national highway projects passing through the Chikkamagaluru district. The directive came during a high-level meeting organized with officials from various departments to review the progress of National Highways 173, 206, and 169.
Addressing Delays and Emphasizing Urgency
Expressing clear dissatisfaction with the sluggish pace of work on the Mudigere-Mugutihalli stretch of National Highway-173, MP Poojary urged officials to expedite the tender process and initiate construction without further delay. He stressed the critical need for immediate action to avoid prolonged disruptions and enhance connectivity in the region.
Streamlining Land Acquisition and Compensation
Highlighting a key bottleneck, Poojary emphasized the importance of accelerating the land acquisition process for these highway projects. He noted that compensation for 55 out of 152 beneficiaries, who had submitted the necessary documents, has already been deposited in court, paving the way for work to commence. The MP directed officials to:
- Submit proposals for approval of additional land required for the projects.
- Take prompt actions based on these proposals to avoid further hold-ups.
- Intensify efforts to resolve pending court cases related to land acquisition.
- Speed up the distribution of compensation to ensure fair and timely payments to all eligible beneficiaries.
Expediting Forest Clearances and Monitoring Progress
In addition to land issues, Poojary instructed officials to fast-track the forest clearance process associated with the district's highways. He called for a thorough review of forest clearance proposals and immediate follow-up actions to prevent environmental regulatory delays. The MP underscored the responsibility of related officials to closely monitor all aspects of the projects and work diligently towards their completion.
Official Commitments and Collaborative Efforts
Deputy Commissioner NM Nagaraj assured that swift measures would be taken to address various development works and issues concerning the national highways in the district. The meeting saw the participation of key officials, including Assistant Commissioner BK Sudarshan, NHAI engineer Manjunath Nayak, and representatives from departments such as the forest department, highlighting a collaborative approach to overcoming challenges.
This initiative reflects a concerted push to improve transportation infrastructure in Chikkamagaluru, aiming to foster economic growth and better connectivity for residents and businesses alike.
