UDUPI: PWD minister Satish Jarkiholi directed officials to prevent construction or setting up of unauthorized set ups along the highways and gradually remove existing ones.
Presiding over the PWD progress review meeting at DC’s office here on Monday, he noted that some individuals initially set up temporary tents along highways to run hotels or shops, later constructing permanent buildings, which leads to parking on roads, disrupting traffic flow.
The minister also addressed concerns regarding building regulations, stating that while state highways allow construction up to six metres from the road, district roads require a 25-metre clearance.
MLC Manjunath Bhandary stressed the need to design buildings, bridges, and other infrastructure suited to local climatic conditions. He also pointed out the damage to bridges due to excessive sand mining in riverbeds, urging the minister to take action.
MLA Sunil Kumar asked for a bridge construction in Mattavu, Hebri, where a significant Malekudiya tribal population resides.
MLA Gururaj Gantihole pointed out the high demand for footbridges in Byndoor taluk. MLA Kiran Kumar Kodgi urged the minister to ensure proper maintenance of roads. MLA Yashpal Suvarna discussed the issue with regard to the Bankarakatte bridge.
