Chikkamagaluru: BJP MLC C.T. Ravi has written an open letter to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar ahead of his visit to Chikkamagaluru on September 19, urging the state government to address key issues concerning roads, drinking water, Western Ghats conservation and Jal Jeevan Mission works.
Welcoming Shivakumar on his first visit to the district as chief minister, Ravi urged him to personally inspect the condition of roads in the Malnad region and announce a special package for road development in Malnad and coastal districts.
Special package for Malnad roads
Ravi cited the poor condition of roads, including the Thirthahalli-Balehonnur-Chikkamagaluru route, and said potholes were causing inconvenience to motorists.
He urged the chief minister to personally assess the situation and take up comprehensive road improvement works in the region.
Seeks review of ESA areas
Ravi also urged the state government to submit comprehensive objections to the Centre over the draft notification related to the Kasturirangan report and address concerns among residents of the Western Ghats.
He sought a fresh identification of ecologically sensitive areas, keeping agricultural and horticultural land, habitations, roads and areas essential for local livelihoods outside the proposed ESA wherever appropriate.
Ravi also called for detailed village-level maps and consultations involving elected representatives, farmers, forest-fringe residents, environmental experts and government departments.
Conservation of forests, biodiversity and water sources, while protecting the livelihoods of farmers and rural communities, should be ensured, he said.
Drinking water crisis
Ravi said Koppa, Narasimharajapura and Ajjampura taluks had been declared drought-hit and that several villages in Kadur and Chikkamagaluru taluks were also facing drinking-water shortages.
He alleged that gram panchayats were citing lack of funds as a reason for not taking up necessary works and sought special task forces at taluk and district levels to tackle the crisis.
Seeks probe into JJM works
Ravi alleged irregularities and deficiencies in Jal Jeevan Mission works, including pipelines, overhead tanks, road restoration and water supply.
According to him, works remain incomplete in some villages, while water is not reaching certain tanks or higher-altitude areas. He also claimed that newly constructed tanks were leaking and that some households were yet to receive water despite works being declared complete.
Ravi alleged that awarding works in several villages to contractors from outside the district had contributed to delays. He urged the government to investigate the complaints and fix responsibility on officials and contractors wherever lapses are established.
He also said completion of the scheme should not be judged merely by providing tap connections, but only after ensuring safe and continuous water supply to every household.
Ravi urged the chief minister to adopt a balanced approach to the district’s concerns, stressing that forests, the environment and the livelihoods of communities living alongside forests should all be protected.