HASSAN: Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy, who had visited Karnataka’s Sakleshpur which was affected by a landslide following incessant rainfall, expressed his dissatisfaction and claimed there were several technical snags in the ongoing work on the Hassan-Mangaluru national highway.
Speaking to reporters after his visit, Kumaraswamy said, “There are several technical problems in the work that is going on here on the Hassan-Mangaluru national highway. It is low quality work. I will meet the concerned central minister and brief him about the situation. I request him to send the higher authority to look after the work here.”
Meanwhile, Karnataka LoP R Ashoka slammed Deputy CM DK Shivakumar for his statement on HD Kumaraswamy’s visit.
Karnataka LoP R Ashoka said, “If DK Shivakumar comes, it will be beneficial. He should leave home and visit the affected area. What you are giving is NDRF’s money, you have not even given money. HD Kumaraswamy has the right to come and listen to the people. As a Union Minister, HD Kumaraswamy should travel all over the country, among which he is giving priority to Karnataka. But, the (state) government is drowning in scandals and unable to respond. Let the government first show that it is alive.”
Earlier, Kumaraswamy had visited Shirur village in Ankola, Uttara Kannada, affected by a landslide following incessant rainfall which had claimed 10 lives, and three people are still missing.
During his visit, he said, “National highways are being constructed well in different parts of the country. However, here the IRB company is accused of unscientifically constructing the highway. However, there is no point in criticizing and analyzing such aspects now. It is sad that five members of the same family, who were making a living by running a tea shop, died tragically.”
“Recently, such incidents are happening again and again in our area. In 2018, when I was the Chief Minister, there was a landslide in Kodagu district. I have the experience of handling such a situation,” he added. (ANI)