Bantwal: A public pathway in Babanakatte of Ananthadi village, which had been closed and caused inconvenience to students and local residents, has been temporarily reopened following media reports and intervention by the Chief Minister’s Officer on Special Duty (OSD).
The reopening has restored public movement along the traditional pathway while authorities work towards finding a more permanent road connection to the affected areas.
The issue came to light after reports highlighted the difficulties faced by students and residents following the closure of the pathway.
CM’s OSD directs immediate action
Taking note of the media report, Dr K Vaishnavi, OSD to the Chief Minister, wrote to the Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner directing the authorities to verify the facts, take immediate necessary action and submit a compliance report.
Acting on the directive, the Revenue Inspector of Vittal hobli conducted a spot inspection and submitted a report on September 10, according to the Bantwal tahsildar.
The inspection examined the status of the pathway and the land through which the public had traditionally accessed the surrounding areas.
Traditional pathway runs through patta land
According to the Revenue Department’s report, a traditional pedestrian pathway passing through 0.24 acres of patta land in Survey No. 137/201 of Ananthadi village had long provided access to Poonjavu, Nadumane and Sudhekattimaru.
The land is registered in the name of Bhagyalakshmi K Hegde, and the pathway had been closed, affecting people who regularly used the route.
During the spot inspection, the pattadar was brought to the location and discussions were held regarding the issue.
Following the discussions, the blocked pathway was temporarily reopened, allowing students, residents and other members of the public to resume movement along the route.
Authorities examine permanent road connection
While the immediate obstruction has been removed, the Revenue Department has begun steps to explore a more permanent solution.
Officials have initiated the process of surveying government land in Survey No. 136/2A1 of Ananthadi village. The authorities are also identifying the government land connected with a road that had earlier been shown in the plotting or layout.
Officials have been instructed to measure the land and submit a report on the feasibility of providing a suitable road connection through the identified route.
The exercise is intended to determine whether government land can be utilised to establish an alternative and more permanent access route for the affected areas.
Public allowed to use pathway meanwhile
Bantwal tahsildar said the public would be permitted to continue using the existing pathway as before until the survey and related processes are completed.
The temporary reopening provides immediate relief to students and local residents who had faced difficulties following the closure.
At the same time, the ongoing survey will determine the feasibility of providing a suitable road connection through government land, potentially reducing dependence on the existing pathway.
The development follows the intervention of the Chief Minister’s OSD after the issue was brought to public attention through media reports.
With the pathway now reopened temporarily and officials undertaking the land survey, the authorities are working on both an immediate arrangement for public movement and a possible long-term access solution for residents of Poonjavu, Nadumane and Sudhekattimaru.