Udupi: Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Kota Srinivas Poojary has directed officials to expedite the pending land acquisition process between Malpe and Karavali Junction on National Highway 169A (NH 169A) and ensure that highway works commence at the earliest.
He was speaking while chairing a progress review meeting on the NH 169A project at the district collectorate court hall in Manipal on Monday.
Pending land acquisition delays highway works
Poojary said the Malpe-Thirthahalli stretch of NH 169A in Udupi district has reached its final stage. However, work remains pending at certain locations because the land acquisition process has not been completed.
He directed officials from the Revenue Department and National Highways authorities to coordinate closely and complete the pending acquisition process without further delay.
The MP also stressed that landowners must receive appropriate compensation for their acquired properties. He said the project should not face further delays because of unresolved administrative issues.
“It is not proper for officials to remain negligent despite repeated meetings being held to resolve the issues,” he said.
Perkal land acquisition issue
Discussing the pending acquisition at Perkal, Poojary said ₹8.25 crore has been deposited in court towards the process.
The stretch in question covers 419 metres and involves 13 landowners. According to officials, only one of the 13 landowners has approached the court.
Poojary directed the officials to conduct a fresh survey, resolve the issue and initiate the highway work after completing the necessary procedures.
He also reviewed the acquisition of land between Hiriyadka and Perdoor. The pending 2.69-km land acquisition in this section has now been completed, clearing the way for further progress on the project.
Forest clearance pending at Hebri-Padigar
At the Hebri-Padigar section, the Forest Department has granted permission for the felling of trees along a 1.4-km stretch. However, the removal of the trees is yet to be completed.
Poojary contacted Forest Department officials over the phone during the meeting and instructed them to complete the tree-removal process immediately so that highway work can proceed.
The issue was discussed as part of the broader review of bottlenecks affecting the NH 169A project.
₹72 crore released for Hebri-Agumbe stretch
Poojary said ₹72 crore has been released for highway works between Hebri and Agumbe Ghat.
He directed officials to prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Hebri-Agumbe stretch at the earliest and take up road development works after completing the required procedures.
The NH 169A corridor is an important road link connecting the coastal region with the Malnad area, and the project involves multiple sections where land acquisition, forest permissions and other clearances have to be completed.
Kalmadi-Malpe Harbour acquisition completed
The land acquisition process for the 1.18-km stretch between Kalmadi and Malpe Harbour has been completed.
Engineers were directed to commence work on the stretch from Tuesday.
The progress review also focused on ensuring that sections where land acquisition has already been completed are taken up for construction without unnecessary waiting.
DC asks officials to speed up court cases
Deputy Commissioner Swaroop T K directed officials to issue notices to landowners whose properties have been acquired and expedite the disposal of pending court cases related to the project.
He stressed that unnecessary delays should not be allowed to affect the progress of the highway works.
Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna directed officials to prepare a list of people who have lost land for the highway project but are yet to receive compensation.
He suggested that officials meet the affected landowners personally, understand their concerns and take steps to resolve the issues at the earliest.
The meeting brought together officials from various departments involved in land acquisition, road construction, forest clearances and related administrative processes.
Karkala MLA V Sunil Kumar, Additional Deputy Commissioner Abheej Gadyal, Kundapur Assistant Commissioner Rashmi, Additional Superintendent of Police Sudhakar Naik, Udupi City Municipal Commissioner Mahantesh Hangargi, Assistant Executive Engineers of the Sringeri-Chikkamagaluru National Highway Division and other officials were present.
The directions issued at the meeting are aimed at clearing the remaining administrative and land-related hurdles and ensuring that completed sections of NH 169A move into the construction stage without further delay.