‘80 footbridges to be built on priority basis in DK’

The state government has sanctioned construction of 221 footbridges at an estimated cost of Rs 30 crore for the benefit of schoolchildren in the interior villages of the district for the year 2018-19, District In-charge Minister U T Khader said.

“The bridges will provide better connectivity for rural schools.” He was speaking after hoisting the National Flag during Republic Day celebrations held at Nehru Maidan on Saturday.

Khader said 80 footbridges would be constructed on a priority basis in the district and a tender has been floated for the work. “In order to ensure safety of schoolchildren in villages during monsoon, the state government has rolled out the scheme to build bridges to provide connectivity.”

He, further, said that 67,626 farmers in Dakshina Kannada district would benefit from the loan waiver scheme of the state government. A sum of Rs 562 core will be waived. Already Rs 105 core has been released benefitting 13,117 farmers.

He said the state government has released Rs 20.8 crore to take up flood relief work and the works were in progress. In the second phase, a sum of Rs 48.29 crore has been sanctioned and the works will be taken up on a priority basis.

Under cyclone mitigation scheme, works worth Rs 23.30 cr has been sanctioned with the help of World Bank aid. A total of 11 vented dams under Paschima Vahini project has been sanctioned at a cost of Rs 265.25 crore and the tendering is in progress.

He called upon the people to protect and upheld the principles of soverignity, unity and equality of the country.

Praising ‘Architect of Indian Constitution’ Dr B R Ambedkar, the minister said India was the first country in the world that gave voting rights to all its citizens without any discrimination.

“The poor, working class, women, and people belonging to deprived sections of the society should be grateful and feel proud of the Indian Constitution that has raised their standard of living and has given equal rights.”

An attractive march past was held as part of the celebrations.

The Sarvothama Seva awards were given to six government officers— Women and Child Development Deputy Director Sundar Poojary, CRZ Implantation Officer and Fisheries Department In-charge Deputy Director Mahesh Kumar, PDO P H Prakash Shetty, PS to Deputy Commissioner K N Sudhakar, Senior Nurse at Wenlock Hospital Harini and Driver K Babu Naik.

Home Guard Abdul Gafoor, Reserve Police Inspector Ganesha, SI of Sullia Manjunath, Chief Fire Service Officer T N Shivashankar, and M T Pradeep of Indian Coast Guard were felicitated for their service during rescue operations held at Jodupala during massive flood and landslides on the border between Dakshina Kannada and Kodagu districts.

The KSRTC handed over silver medals to six drivers for driving safely and without any accidents. They are Sathish, Chandrashekar, Ganesh Shetty, late Duggappa Naik, Ganapathi Kottari and Ishwara.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Dr Kumar was felicitated for getting the state award for being the Best Additional District Electoral Officer.

The students of Sharada Vidyalaya presented Mallakamba. Around 1,000 students from Sharada Vidyalaya, Canara High School and Amrutha Vidyalaya presented cultural programmes on the occasion.

Vintage, classic car and bike carnival was organised by Mangalore Motor Sports Association on the occasion.