Madikeri: Madikeri MLA Manthar Gowda performed bhoomi puja for Harangi main canal and sub-canal development works worth Rs 125 crore, stating that the govt aims to make farmers self-reliant through prosperous agriculture and ensure that those who feed society live in peace.He said the long-pending dream of farmers to modernise Harangi main canals and sub-canals was now being realised, and instructed contractors and officials to maintain work quality. He said the works included development of the Harangi left bank main canal chain from 6.8km to 14.7km at a cost of Rs 72.2 crore, and concreting of sub-canals of the left bank canal at a cost of Rs 50 crore. The objective is to ensure smooth water flow to farmers’ lands and improve irrigation benefits across the area.Kushalnagar Taluk Guarantee Schemes Committee president VP Shashidhar said the state govt was running a pro-people administration and, along with guarantee schemes, the MLA’s initiatives were like ‘Bhagiratha’ works for the constituency. He added that welfare and public works not undertaken for the last 20 years were now being implemented.KPCC spokesperson M Lakshman said the MLA set a goal of achieving all-around development through public works.Kushalnagar tahsildar Kiran Gouraiah, Congress leader KP Chandrakala, Akrama Sakrama Samiti taluk president Govindappa, and Kudige DIET principal Ramachandraraje Arasu were present.The MLA also performed bhoomi puja for a hi-tech passenger rest house at the autorickshaw stand near the old private bus stand, and for development works at the Cauvery car drivers’ association stand in Madikeri, both costing Rs 11 lakh and funded by the MLA Area Development Fund. Auto and car drivers’ association members thanked him for addressing long-pending demands.
