Udupi: Foot bridges will be completed in 3 years- PWD Minister

Udupi: Foot bridges will be completed in 3 years- PWD Minister

mangaloretoday.com

Udupi, February 18, 2025: Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi has assured that the construction of footbridges will be prioritized across various districts in Karnataka. Speaking at a progress review meeting at the Deputy Commissioner’s office, Jarkiholi announced plans to build 300 footbridges across 12 districts, with the projects being implemented in phases based on need.

The Public Works Department (PWD) completed 100 footbridges last year, and an additional 200 are currently under construction. For the next phase, which includes 300 more footbridges, budgetary approval will be sought in the upcoming state budget, to be presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in March. The minister clarified that there are no funding issues, as separate allocations are made for government-backed guarantee schemes and development projects.

In response to concerns about the higher costs of PWD footbridges compared to lower-cost alternatives under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), Jarkiholi explained that MGNREGS is under the Union Government’s jurisdiction and his department does not oversee its implementation. He assured that all PWD projects adhere to the department’s official schedule of rates (SR) and would be prioritized as needed.

Jarkiholi’s comments come after past incidents where schoolchildren faced challenges crossing waterways due to the absence of footbridges during the monsoon season. He emphasized that urgent infrastructure needs, including new footbridges and repairs to aging ones, would be addressed as a priority. Additionally, he confirmed that pothole-filling efforts across the district were nearly finished, with remaining work being expedited.

The minister also shared plans for a new 20-room inspection bungalow in Udupi. Responding to concerns from Udupi’s BJP MLAs about alleged funding shortages for developmental projects in their constituencies, Jarkiholi acknowledged that not all demands could be met, but assured that significant progress had been made in various infrastructure projects.