Hassan: In a major boost to infrastructure in Malnad region, the Union ministry of road transport and highways has granted administrative, technical and financial approval for the four-laning of National Highway 373 (Hassan-Belur stretch).The project, with a revised sanctioned cost of Rs 470.8 crore, will cover a total length of 29.54 km.MP Shreyas Patel said he had met Union minister Nitin Gadkari and requested him to accord speedy approval and take up the work on priority. Following continuous follow-up with the ministry and officials, the Centre has now cleared the project, he said.Of the total outlay, Rs 115.3 crore has been earmarked for land acquisition and Rs 128.9 crore for land acquisition plus pre-construction activities like utility shifting. The Centre directed the state PWD to expedite land acquisition and compensation disbursement. The project is targeted for completion by 2029-30.In another development, Patel said Arkalgud taluk has been declared as a double crop area for sericulture. He said while other taluks in the district enjoyed the double crop area facility for silkworm rearing, Arkalgud was deprived of it, leading to shortage of quality silkworm eggs for farmers.Following his request to the Silk Board executive director P Shivakumar, the board has agreed to include Arkalgud in the double crop zone. “Shivakumar has assured necessary steps to ensure adequate supply of quality silkworm eggs to farmers in the taluk,” Patel added.
