District-in-charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has appealed to the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary of Karnataka to organize a high-level meeting with relevant departments to accelerate the long-stalled development of the Belthangady–Didupe–Elaneeru–Samse road.
In his official communication, Rao urged for the preparation of a detailed project report to be submitted to the Central Government, and for immediate coordination to commence land surveys and obtain departmental approvals.
He highlighted the difficulties faced by residents in remote villages like Elaneeru, Guthyadka, Bangargi, Ukkuda, and Kurcharu under Malavantige in Belthangady taluk. These habitations lie at the border of Dakshina Kannada and Chikkamagaluru, but villagers currently need to travel around 120 km via Kuduremukh–Bajagoli–Belthangady to access their gram panchayat. The proposed road would slash this to just 9 km to the panchayat office and 20 km to the taluk headquarters.
Rao stated that local communities have been pressing for the 9 km stretch for decades, but since the route cuts through protected forest land, clearance from the forest and wildlife divisions is essential. Although a survey permit was issued by the previous administration, no tangible progress followed.
The minister further stressed that frequent landslides along Charmadi and Shiradi Ghat routes during monsoons sever connectivity between coastal and interior areas. Constructing this road would serve as a crucial alternative link, enhancing year-round access and safeguarding against seasonal disruptions.
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