Sakleshpur: The widening work of the National Highway from Hassan to Maranahalli will be completed within the next three to four months, MP Shreyas Patel has said.
He spoke after inspecting the site with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and district administration officials on Thursday.
The monsoon season will begin in the next three months. Therefore, he said the team has reviewed the precautionary measures to be taken in places where landslides generally occur.
“We have reviewed the black spots on this stretch and are exploring solutions. Officials and contractors have given a 100 percent guarantee that the work will be completed by June 30. At most, it can be delayed by another month. Overall, the highway will be completely free for traffic in the next three to four months,” the MP said.
“We have emphasized on preventing landslides in some places, including major ones, especially during the rainy season. The unscientific actions and mistakes of those who acquired land in the past have led to the collapse of some infrastructure due to the direct cutting of the hill. To prevent this, more land needs to be acquired to cut the hill into slopes,” he added.
“Before that, compensation needs to be given to coffee tree owners. I have instructed officials to take action immediately and prepare a report on how many more meters of land are needed for acquisition,” he said.
The MP said that there was a “minor technical problem” near Channapatna Circle, Rajiv College and Bittagodanahalli in Hassan for the flyover work to be done on this route, which will be resolved and the work will start soon. The Anachihalli flyover will be available for traffic in one month, and the flyover near Buvanahalli will be ready in three months.
The MP has also asked for a road closure to be made at Donigal Cross near Sakleshpur. He said that motorists and passengers will be informed before the closure and that alternative traffic will be arranged so that the public is not inconvenienced.
The Department of Net Technology Systems has prepared a proposal in this regard. He said he will submit it to the concerned Minister and request release of Rs 13 crore for the purpose.
“We need to work together. The wild elephant problem in the district is complicated. Two people have died in 10 days. The solution we give in such cases is not permanent, but a durable solution is the need of the hour. Both the state and central governments should do it together in the interests of the people,” he added.
“Both governments have a responsibility in this matter. The government, people’s representatives, and ministers need to work together. They need to sit and discuss with each other and solve it,” he said.
“I have also appealed to the Central government many times for a solution. I have raised my voice in the session as well. A proposal is ready for the construction of an elephant sanctuary. I will also put pressure on the Centre after looking at how much funding is allocated in the state budget for this matter,” the MP added.
“Let everyone go to the Centre without any party affiliation, and ask for a solution to this issue. I appeal to everyone to join hands for this cause. I also request that the families of the deceased be given Rs. 25 lakh compensation instead of the current Rs. 15 lakh. It is up to the two governments to award them suitably,” he added.
When the MP visited Gujjanahalli earlier, the locals raised many problems and said farm workers should be informed about the movement of big elephants in advance. If possible, leave should be given to workers on such days, and most importantly, a vehicle should be arranged to bring and drop workers to the farms,” they suggested.
The MP was also urged to ensure a change in the working hours of farm workers and that their interests be seriously looked after.
Order to officials
Earlier, during the inspection, the MP said that the work should be completed within three months. He questioned the officials over the work they had done so far, as the rainy season was approaching. He also questioned the officials as to why some people had not been compensated yet for losses suffered.
