Not bothered about Raghupathi Bhat’s comments on Padukere Bridge – Sathish Ameen
Udupi: The government and city municipal council is committed to complete the Padukere bridge construction by February end, said the president of Udupi block congress, Satish Amin Padukere.
He was speaking at a press meet held at the press club on January 31, Satish condemned the statement made by former MLA Raghupathi Bhat against district minister in-charge and also Udupi MLA Pramod Madhwaraj. The former MLA had recently alleged that Pramod Madhwaraj was deliberately delaying the construction of the Malpe-Padukere bridge. Bhat had also threatened that if the construction work was not completed within 15 days, the district BJP members would hold a protest demanding the completion of the work.
The state government had given Rs 25 crore as special grant for the Udupi municipality while celebrating its platinum jubilee in 2011-12. The city municipality had called for the tenders four times for the construction of the bridge. During the tender process for the fourth time in 2013, the construction work was allotted the Yojaka India Pvt Ltd.
Earlier the construction of the bridge was estimated at Rs 13.5 crore. But the estimation cost later increased to Rs 16.86 crore. The state government has already paid Rs 13.5 crore to Yojaka India Pvt Ltd and the remaining amount will be released soon. As per the direction of the minister the width of the bridge was extended from 4.25 meter to 5.25 meter. There was a shortage of funds for connecting road on both sides of the bridge. The work of connecting roads is now in process. The Udupi city municipality has additionally spent Rs 9.80 lakhs for the drinking water pipeline and the street lights for the bridge. The minister has already instructed to the company to complete the work of the bridge in 15 days.
All the pending work of the bridge would be completed in a month and then the bridge would be open for traffic. The bridge is being constructed at a cost of Rs 16.86 crore. The width of the bridge is 5.5 meters. Another Rs 1 crore is being spent on the construction of a connecting road to the bridge.
The minister is not concerned on the deadline given by former MLA Raghupathi Bhat. He is playing publicity politics on the Padukere bridge issue. The Padukere villagers were well aware of Raghupathi Bhat’s Political gimmicks. Our minister Pramod Madhwaraj is struggling to fulfill the long pending dream of Padukere villagers, he added.
Meenakshi Madhava Bannaje president Udupi CMC, Janardhan Bhandarkar Councilor, Venkappa Mendon, Suresh Suvarna and others were present.