State approves ₹200 crore bridge project between Kotepura and Bolar, says Dinesh Gundu Rao

The Hindu

3 days ago

The State government has approved construction of a bridge between Kotepura (in Ullal) and Bolar at a cost of ₹200 crore, Dakshina Kannada district in charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said in Mangaluru on Friday.
In his Independence day address at the Nehru Maidan, Mr. Rao said the government has also approved construction of a new bridge, across the Netravati, between Sajipanadu in Bantwal taluk and Thumbe at a cost of ₹60 crore. These two bridges will not just ease traffic movement but also aid further development of the region, he said.
The Minister said the PWD has taken up widening of Guruvayanakere-Uppinangady-Puttur stretch of the State highway. Road widening, construction of bridges and other works have been taken up on the Subrahmanya-Manjeshwar, Kadur-Kanhangad and Surathkal-Kabaka roads. A bridge was being re-constructed across Darpana river on the State highway in Kadaba taluk at a cost of ₹4.5 crore. The Addoor-Polali bridge was being repaired at a cost of ₹6.1 crore, the Ashwathapura-Mijar bridge was being constructed at a cost of ₹9 crore, and ₹4.95 crore was being spent for constructing a bridge on Parari-Ulaibettu-Mallur main raod.
Seven new Indira canteens have been sanctioned, in addition to 17 Indira canteens in the district. The government is building G+3 apartment at Idya, near Surathkal, for 792 houseless persons. The Shakti, Gruha Jyothi, Gruha Lakshimi, and Yuva Nidhi guarantee schemes were doing well in the district, he said.
As many as 33,356 people from Dakshina Kannada took the benefit of Puneet Rajkumar Hrudaya Jyoti scheme between March 2024 and July 2025. Under the scheme, district and taluk hospitals act as hubs where ECGs are done, while ECGs are analysed and necessary surgeries, if needed, are performed at Yenepoya Hospital at Deralakatte. A total of 296 people have undergone cardiac related surgery under the scheme, the Minister said.
As many as 16 district hospitals in the State, including Government Wenlock Hospital, has Day Care Chemotherapy facility. Gruha Arogya scheme was being effectively implemented in the the district under which house-to-house visits were being done to make people aware about 14 communicable diseases and necessary medicine kits were being given, Mr. Rao said.
Affirming commitment of the State government to ensure peace and tranquility in Dakshina Kannnada, the Minister said the government will not be bogged down by any external pressure in ensuring peace in the region. Mr. Rao said religious leaders were being told to make their people aware about importance of communal amity. Yakshagana troupes will also be involved in spreading message of communal harmony, he added.