Don’t collect toll fee for ‘KA 19’ registration vehicles at Talapady: MP
Mangaluru, July 05: Lok Sabha Member Nalin Kumar directed the National Highway Authority (NHA) not to collect toll fee for all private vehicles having ‘KA 19’ registration number at Talapady till the Thokkottu over bridge construction work on National Highway 66 is completed.
After holding a meeting with the officials of the NHA and Navayuga company officials here on Thursday and inspecting the construction work of over-bridges at Pumpwell and Thokkottu and road work from Talapady to Surathkal, he told media persons that toll fee was not being collected for vehicles bearing KA 20 and KA 19 registration numbers at Hejamadi and NITK toll gates respectively. In the same way, toll fee should not be collected for private vehicles except commercial vehicles bearing KA 19 numbers at Talapady toll gate, he said.
The four-lane work of National highway from Talapady to Kundapura was going on for the last eight years. As the work of Pumpwell and Thokkottu over bridges was going on a snail’s pace, it was causing inconvenience to the people. Because of the unscientific works, there was service road and drainage problem. The work was delayed because of the personal problem of the Navayuga company which got the contract. Now, after repeated meetings, the contractor was directed to complete the work immediately and provide the time table of the work, he said.
Now, NHA officials and the contract company had promised of completing the Thokkottu over bridge work by December and Pumpwell over-bridge work by January. If they did not show any progress in the work within 15 days as per the time table given by them, it was planned to close the Talapady toll gate and stop collection of fee, he said.
It would require minimum 6-7 months to solve the problems. Before that, the authorities concerned were directed to widen the service roads near Nantur and two flyovers and clean the drainages. Already, he drew the attention of the NHA Ministry for the delay of the contractor and the company was slapped Rs 1.5 crore penalty for this reason. In spite of it, the company was not responding positively. But he has given them the last warning. If they failed, legal action would be taken against the company, he said.
NHA advisors Ajith Kumar Jain and Ravi Kumar, Navayuga chief project manager Shankar and others were present.
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Indian Defence forces committed to adapting to changing environment: CDS General Chauhan
Hyderabad (PTI): Asserting that war and warfare is at the cusp of a major revolution, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan on Saturday said the Indian Defence forces are committed to adapting to changing environment and imbibing reforms to remain ready and relevant.
Addressing the Combined Graduation Parade (CGP) of 216 Course held at the Air Force Academy at Dundigal near here, General Chauhan said India's strength rests on robust institutions, democratic stability, and unwavering professionalism of our Armed Forces.
He said the intensity of operations may have ebbed, but Operation Sindoor continues.
"You (new officers) also join the Air Force at a moment when a new normal has firmly taken shape. An era defined by a high degree of operational preparedness, 24-7, 365 days. The intensity of operations may have ebbed, but Operation Sindhur continues," he said.
He further said the newly trained officers are entering the Indian Air Force during a phase of deep transformation of the Indian Armed Forces.
Integrated structures, joint operations, and national pursuit of Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence are shaping the future of India's military strength, he said.
"Your journey ahead will be accordingly guided by Jai, the first word of Jai Hind, that's victory. 'J' stands for jointness, fighting as one nation, one force. 'A' stands for Atmanirbhar Bharat, trusted platforms and systems made not just for India but for the world. And finally, 'I' for innovation, daring to think ahead and to be ahead of the curve," he explained.
General Chauhan further said battles in the older domains will always remain contested, often brutal. But in the new domains, they will be smart, swift, and shaped by intellect, innovation, and initiative. The force that masters new frontiers is more likely to prevail in future conflicts.
