Hassan (Karnataka) [India], July 21 (ANI): Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy, after visiting landslide-affected Sakleshpur, criticized the ongoing work on the Hassan-Mangaluru national highway, citing several technical issues and poor quality. “There are several technical problems in the work that is going on here on the Hassan-Mangaluru national highway. It is low-quality work. I will meet the concerned central minister and brief him about the situation. I request him to send higher authority to look after the work here,” he stated.
Karnataka’s Leader of Opposition, R Ashoka, criticized Deputy CM DK Shivakumar’s response to Kumaraswamy’s visit. Ashoka said, “If DK Shivakumar comes, it will be beneficial. He should leave home and visit the affected area. What you are giving is NDRF’s money, you have not even given money. HD Kumaraswamy has the right to come and listen to the people. As a Union Minister, HD Kumaraswamy should travel all over the country, among which he is giving priority to Karnataka. But, the state government is drowning in scandals and unable to respond. Let the government first show that it is alive.”
Previously, Kumaraswamy visited Shirur village in Ankola, Uttara Kannada, where a landslide following heavy rainfall claimed 10 lives, with three people still missing. He noted, “National highways are being constructed well in different parts of the country. However, here the IRB company is accused of unscientifically constructing the highway. It is sad that five members of the same family, who were making a living by running a tea shop, died tragically.” Kumaraswamy also recalled handling a similar situation in Kodagu district during his tenure as Chief Minister in 2018.