Puttur, 20 September 2026: Development works in Puttur Assembly constituency should be planned with a long-term vision, said Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai.
He said the widening of the Puttur-Uppinangady Road is being undertaken with a vision for the next 50 years. A circle and street lighting will also be developed along the road to improve the city’s appearance, he said.
Ashok Kumar Rai was speaking after laying the foundation stone for a ₹25 lakh circle and a ₹24 lakh bus shelter near the Anjaneya Temple at Bolwar on Saturday. Works are being taken up by the Puttur Urban Development Authority (MUDA).
₹8 Crore for Railway Underpass
A further ₹5.5 crore has been reserved for street lighting along the road. Five high-mast lights will also be installed, he said. A ₹25-crore special grant for development and beautification of important roads and towns in Puttur taluk had earlier been announced through the Public Works Department.
Tulu Recognition and Puttur Medical College
Ashok Kumar Rai said the Chief Minister had respected the sentiments of the Tulu-speaking community by granting Tulu the status of Karnataka’s second additional official language in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi.
He said he had been pursuing the demand for the past three years. The Karnataka Cabinet approved the Tulu language decision on September 18. The Cabinet also approved a government medical college and teaching hospital in Puttur. Current reports put the approved medical college package at around ₹549 crore.
Ashok Kumar Rai also referred to the special allocation announced for Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple and other religious institutions.
₹32,611 Crore Coastal Development Package
Ashok Kumar Rai said the government had earmarked ₹32,611 crore for projects announced at the special Cabinet meeting in Mangaluru.
Cabinet package includes rural roads, rural infrastructure and other coastal development projects. About ₹16,000 crore of the total was reported to be for rural roads, rural development and infrastructure. He said development activities in Dakshina Kannada would increase in the coming days.
Ashok Kumar Rai also said the government would move forward with the process of renaming Dakshina Kannada district as Mangaluru district, subject to public opinion. The Chief Minister has said a draft notification and public consultation process would precede a decision.
Kasturirangan Report
Ashok Kumar Rai also spoke about the Kasturirangan report. He said the implementation of the report was a matter concerning the Union government and alleged that the BJP was blaming the Congress government over the issue.
He said the state government would not implement the proposal without addressing the concerns involved. Ashok Kumar Rai also criticised the BJP over restrictions on DJs during religious programmes and referred to the government's decision allowing shops and establishments in the district to remain open until 1 a.m.
MUDA Chairman Amal Ramachandra presided over the programme. Puttur City Municipal Commissioner Vidya S. Kale, KPCC Secretary M.S. Mohammed, KPCC Coordinator Amal Ramachandra, Puttur Block Congress President K.P. Alva, Uppinangady Block President U.T. Tausif, Taluk Five Guarantee Implementation Committee President Umanath Shetty Perne, and MUDA members Anwar Kasim and Nihal Shetty were present. MUDA Member Secretary Gurupasad welcomed the gathering. Member Mascarenhas compered the programme.
Keywords: Puttur Uppinangady Road, Ashok Kumar Rai, Puttur road development, railway underpass Puttur, Puttur street lighting, Puttur development projects, Puttur Suddi, Puttur News Today, Citizen News Puttur