Ullal Town Sanctioned Major Underground Power Cable Project
Ullal town, located within the constituency of Speaker UT Khader, has been granted approval for a significant underground power cable project. The initiative is estimated to cost approximately Rs 186 crore and is poised to transform the local infrastructure landscape.
Project Details and Implementation Timeline
UT Khader, the MLA representing the Mangaluru constituency, provided detailed insights during a press briefing on Saturday. He confirmed that the tender process for the underground power cabling work is currently underway. Once this phase is completed, the physical implementation of the project will commence promptly.
Khader emphasized that this project is integral to the beautification efforts in Ullal town. Upon completion, the town will be liberated from the clutter and hazards associated with live overhead electricity cables. Presently, high-tension and low-tension power lines traverse above residential houses and building terraces, posing considerable risks to citizens. Additionally, electric poles in certain areas are situated within the compound walls of private residences, creating further complications.
Addressing Infrastructure Challenges
The MLA highlighted the difficulties faced by the Mangalore Electricity Supply Company (Mescom) in relocating electric poles and power lines due to severe space constraints. The underground cabling project is designed to effectively resolve these persistent issues, ensuring a safer and more aesthetically pleasing environment for residents.
This ambitious project will be executed through the Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL), leveraging their expertise in large-scale electrical infrastructure developments.
Additional Infrastructure Investments Announced
In a related development, Khader disclosed that an additional Rs 60 crore has been sanctioned to undertake a similar underground cabling project within Mangaluru city itself. This underscores a broader commitment to modernizing the region's power distribution network.
Furthermore, to guarantee an uninterrupted and reliable power supply for Ullal, the capacity of the existing 33KV substation will be significantly upgraded to 110KV. This enhancement is projected to cost an estimated Rs 96 crore, marking another critical investment in the area's electrical grid resilience.
Major Tourism-Focused Bridge Project
Shifting focus to transportation and tourism, Khader announced progress on a proposed bridge connecting Kotepura in Ullal and Bolar in Mangaluru across the Nethravati River. Tenders for this Rs 252 crore project are expected to be floated in the near future.
The 1.5-kilometer bridge is being specially designed to offer breathtaking, closer views of the Arabian Sea, with its development centered heavily on boosting tourism. Plans include constructing facilities such as hotels, restaurants, and parks beneath the bridge structure. To facilitate tourism-centric activities, traffic movement on the bridge will be prohibited on weekends between 4 PM and 8 PM.
In another connectivity boost, a separate bridge will be constructed across the Nethravati River between Sajipa and Thumbe at an estimated cost of Rs 62 crore.
Cultural Infrastructure Developments
On the cultural front, Kannada and Culture Minister Shivaraj S Tangadagi is scheduled to lay the foundation stone for two significant projects in the Mangaluru constituency. The tentative date for this ceremony is February 15.
- Abbakka Bhavana: A project sanctioned with Rs 8 crore.
- Beary Bhavana: A project sanctioned with Rs 6 crore.
These announcements collectively represent a comprehensive suite of infrastructure and cultural developments aimed at enhancing safety, connectivity, tourism, and community facilities in the Ullal and Mangaluru regions, spearheaded by MLA UT Khader.
