MANGALORE: In little over nine months from now, scores of devout Jains and other pilgrims will converge on Sri Kshetra Shravanabelagola in Hassan district for the first "Mahamastakabhisheka" of this century.

Gearing up to meet the anticipated rush of pilgrims from all across India and elsewhere is the National Highways division based at Mangalore, which has jurisdiction over Hassan.

While the Government has set up a high-power committee to oversee the preparations for this mega religious festival, the Highways division is readying itself to meet the challenge of providing state of the art infrastructure facilities. A special sub-division has been set up in Hassan to monitor infrastructure projects that have to be completed by end of December.

B.S. Balakrishna, Executive Engineer of National Highways division, told The Hindu here that the sub-division has already commenced operations in Hassan and the actual works as desired will begin during the month.

The Minister for Pubic Works and Energy, H.D. Revanna, is personally overseeing works since it relates to his Department and also in his capacity as the district in-charge Minister there.

Mr. Balakrishna said the major district, public works department and peripheral roads leading to Shravanabelagola will be improved and strengthened. Besides, a host of other construction works such as temporary sheds will be taken up. Authorities in Hassan and Mandya will take up road related development works in their respective area leading towards Shravanabelagola.

Mr. Balakrishna said a 30-km stretch of Shirady Ghats leading to Hassan has been asphalted. Noting that a further 10 km on the Ghat stretch will be asphalted shortly, he said development work in the form of proper drainage too has been taken up. He said that authorities have to check movement of overloaded lorries on this stretch.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka

News: Front Page | National | Tamil Nadu | Andhra Pradesh | Karnataka | Kerala | New Delhi | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Updates: Breaking News |