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Udupi : The long awaited Malpe-Padukere Bridge connecting Padukere and Malpe Fisheries Harbour was inaugurated on Saturday, 18^th March, 2017 by Pramod Madhwaraj, Minister for Fisheries, Sports and Youth Empowerment and also Minister in-charge of Udupi district.

Prior to the inauguration a colourful procession was taken from Malpe Ayyappa Swamy Temple to the new bridge. The minister was inaugurated the Malpe – Padukere Bridge by unveiling the Plaque and cutting the ribbon at the entrance of the bridge.

After the inauguration stage programme was held. In his inaugural address, Pramod Madhwaraj said that it is his destiny to open and inaugurate the much awaited bridge between the two areas which the door is opened to Padukere. I must give credit to Dr. V. S. Acharya who proposed this much needed bridge in order to avoid difficulty through crossing the sea by boats. Former Udupi MLA Raghupathy Bhat put much effort into this project during his time and also foundation stone laid for the bridge on 29^th August, 2013.

Fortunately, I got elected as MLA of Udupi legislative assembly. Earlier the project has sanctioned but not allotted the funds during BJP rule. But later the Siddaramaiha government in his budget not allotted funds under Nagarothana. During the assembly session I raised the questing regarding this with the government. After wards within a short time, Siddaramaiah announced funds not only for this Malpe Padukere bridge project but also other bridges also with Rs. 1,000 crore under Nagarothana.

He gave some of the reason why the this particular bridge get delayed that the initial project cost Rs. 13 crore, but later the width and height of the bridge get increased, the cost of the bridge has Rs. 16.91crore. According to the first project plan, the width of the bridge was 4.25 meter with single lane, but now increased to 5.25 meter. Meanwhile approach road built at a cost of Rs. 1 crore.

He said that subsidy for diesel has been increased from Rs. 120 crore to Rs. 157 crore which will be highest in the country. When compered to other states Karnataka government providing diesel subsidy for 3,600 mechanized boats while in Gujarath and Maharastra lesser diesel subsidy for more boats. Siddaramaiha government set aside Rs. 337 crore for fisheries department. National level Rs. 401 crore devoted to Fisheries. Rs. 77.49 crore sanctioned to only for setting of bridges in the Udupi district and total Rs. 1708 crore for whole state of Karnataka which will be record to any other state.

He also going to establish much hi-tech bus stand for Malpe at the cost of Rs. 4.60 crore. For under ground drainage Rs. 320 crore has allotted. To help the road transport, 3 KSRTC JnNurm buses asked for permits for Malpe – Padukere route only. There will be RTA meeting to be held on 21^st March and will get the permission from the RTO. Meanwhile Udupi Municipal Council can supply water to Padukere easily now as it has laid permanent pipe lines below the bridge and also provided LED lights on the bridge.

He said that we plan to develop Padukere Beach into one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, considering that Malpe is a tourist place. In order to develop the Padukere beach, will discuss with Deputy Commissioner as she is president of the beach development authority.

Meenakshi Madhav Bannanje President of CMC, Udupi presided over the programme. Sandhya Tilak Raj Vice President, CMC, The CMC councilors  Prashanth Amin, Vijay Kundar, Ganesh Nergi, Shobha Kakkunje, Janardhan Bhandarkar, Ramesh Kanchan, Chandrakanth Naik, Hermious Noronha, Divakar Kundar, Celine Karkada, Prashanth Bhat,  and other CMC ward Councilors, Sathis Amin Padukere President of Malpe-Padukere Bridge incharge committee, Narasimha Murthy President of Udupi Urban Development Authority, Janardhan Thonse, ZP member, Jagadish Bolur Managing Director of Yojaka India Pvt. Ltd, Manaluru, Anand C Kundar Proprietor of Geethanand Foundation, Hiriyanna Kidiyoor leader of Fishermen, Udupi Tahsildar and other officials and other among were present on the dais.

Earlier D. Manjunathaiah gave keynote address and welcomed the gatherings. Sathish Amin Padukere proposed vote of thanks. Sathish Shetty compered the programme.