Expedite compensation to victims: DGR

Mangaluru: District minister Dinesh Gundu Rao directed officials to ensure there is no delay in disbursing compensation to people affected by natural calamities. Chairing the district disaster management review meeting held at the Praja Soudha on Wednesday, the minister took serious note of pending payments and lapses in preventive measures.
Additional deputy commissioner Santhosh Kumar informed that of the 705 partially damaged houses in recent rains, compensation was released for 677. The minister, however, flagged the slow progress in Puttur taluk, where only 101 out of 125 affected homes received compensation. The tahsildar attributed the delay to KYC issues. The minister instructed that pending cases be resolved at the earliest. As many as 82 houses were fully damaged.
Meanwhile, 1,992 vulnerable houses have been identified, and 181 footbridges have been closed with warning boards displayed. The minister directed officers to take stern action against violators.
The district reported five rain-related deaths, one in Moodbidri and four in Ullal so far. According to the agriculture department, crop damage stands at 2.4 hectares, while the horticulture department pegged losses at 4.9 hectares.
The minister also questioned Mescom officials over frequent power outages, especially in Puttur and Sullia, and instructed them to complete maintenance works before the monsoon intensifies.
To mitigate landslides in the Malnad and coastal regions, the govt sanctioned Rs100 crore. Of this, 36 projects worth Rs27 crore have already been approved. Deputy commissioner MP Mullai Muhilan stated that the Puttur-Uppinangady state highway stretch suffered the most damage.
A total of 22 bridges, 240.7km of rural roads, and 4.2 km of state highways have been affected.
The minister also asked whether long-term mitigation was implemented in areas hit by disasters last year. Regarding the Kettikal landslip, the DC said restoration on a 2km stretch last year prevented further issues. However, the NHAI's precautionary works this year were poorly planned due to land acquisition hurdles. The minister instructed the NHAI project director to take up necessary interventions.
Precautionary measures, including proper signage, lighting, and police deployment, have been taken up.
Case against risk-taking bikers
Taking serious note of a viral video showing two bikers riding through a flooded stream in Belthangady, the DC directed officials to book cases against them. The minister added that strict action should be taken to deter such reckless behaviour.
Status quo on Panemangluru-Bantwal bridge
The minister also instructed that the status quo on the Panemangluru-Bantwal bridge be maintained. Heavy vehicles will be allowed only after receiving clearance from an expert agency. The DC took objection to a local body's unilateral decision to open the bridge to light vehicles and warned that any violation would invite legal action.
City police commissioner Sudheer Reddy CH, SP Arun K, ZP CEO Anandh K and DCF Anthony Mariyappa were present.

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