Moodabidiri: “The Mangaluru-Moodabidri National Highway is filled with potholes and commuters are facing several problems. If the authorities concerned do not repair the road within 10 days, we will block the highway and hold padayatra from Moodabidri to Mangaluru along with several organisations,” warned Council Chief Whip Ivan D’Souza here on September 19.
Addressing media here on Tuesday, Ivan said, “The project which was started years ago is lying in cold storage. The land acquisition and the clear idea regarding the four lane road construction is yet to be finalised. Few BJP leaders have been trying to pressure the officials and change the route to favour some of the residents.”
He further said that the officials needed one more year to complete land acquisition process. “To complete this road, the central government should release Rs 18 Crore and I have written to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and National Highway Authority of India in this regard”, he added.
Reacting sharply to BJP MP Shobha Karandlaje’s allegations that UPA government was responsible for the delay in completion of the project, Ivan said, “For the last 25 years BJP MPs have been representing Mangaluru Loksabha constituency. D V Sadananda Gowda was the chief minister as well a union minister. Shobha Karandlaje too was a minister and presently an MP. Despite holding these positions why they have not taken any interest to take up the project?,” he asked.
‘Ready to contest from Moodabidri’
Citing that MLA Abhaychandra Jain had already announced regarding him not contesting in the coming elections from Moodabidri constituency, Ivan said,”I am ready to contest from Moodabidri constituency but the final decision in this regard is left to the High Command.”
KPCC members and former party district member Lazarus D’Souza were present during the press meet.
