DK’s medical hub to get facelift through PPP mode

Mangaluru: Mangaluru MLA U T Khader has prepared a roadmap to beautify and provide infrastructure on the Thokkottu-Mudipu stretch in his constituency, where there are four medical, two dental, a homoeopathy college, Mangaluru University, and many educational institutions, as well as IT bellwether Infosys.
While work on the new four-lane road on the stretch is being expedited, the MLA has taken initiatives to form a committee involving medical colleges, the university, Infosys, educational institutions, gram panchayats, PWD and the forest department, to beautify the new four-lane road, and maintain it. The new committee will prepare action plans for greenery, cleanliness, electrification, and the construction of comfort stations on the stretch, for the convenience of thousands of patients and others. The MLA said that a preliminary meeting has already been held in this regard.
Khader said that the road stretches between Mudipu to Kambalapadavu, and Natekal to Chembugudde, on the Thokkottu-Mudipu road, have already been converted into four lanes, through public-private partnership. Meanwhile, Rs 22 crore has been released to develop the remaining stretches between Natekal to Asaigoli and Chembugudde to Thokkottu, he said, adding that the work will be taken up soon.
“It is possible to develop roads with government funds and private partnership. However, the maintenance of the roads is the responsibility of everyone. Hence, I have held discussions with the management of all educational institutions and officials, to form a committee for it. The committee will prepare plans for electrification of the road, maintain cleanliness, and provide infrastructure. Jana Shikshana Trust, an NGO, has been given the responsibility to prepare an action plan for cleanliness. Environmentalist Madhav Ullal has been asked to increase the greenery on the stretch, by planting saplings on either side of the road. Full-fledged parking facilities and comfort stations will be provided for the convenience of commuters,” Khader said.
For the safety of lakhs of students studying in various institutes, CCTVs will be installed on the stretch, and a police outpost will be opened if necessary, he added.